ORIGIN,  D0at'Rljt^§,i6  irz  ^ 
CONSTlTUTIONHSiliSU.-^-^ 


DISCIPLINE 


Unite®  Brethren  in  Christ. 


DAYTON,  OHIO: 
United  Brethren  Publishing  Housej 

1889. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.— Origin  of  the  Church T 

CHAPTER  1L—Co)ifession  of  Ftiith 18 

CHAPTER  I II. -Constitution 17 

CHAPTER  IW.— Members 21 

Section  1.     Reception  of  members 21 

Section  2.     Duties  of  members 24 

Section  3.     Trial  of  members 29 

Section  4.    Transfer  and  dismissal  of  members 33 

CHAPTER  W .—Government  of  the  Church 34 

Section  1.    Classes 34 

Section  2.    Class-leaders  and  their  duties 35 

Section  3.     Class-stewards  and  their  duties 35 

Section  4.    Official  meetings  for  stations 36 

Seciion  5.    Quarterly  conference 37 

Sections.    Annual  conference 42 

Section  7.    General  conference 44 

CHAPTER  VI.— Ministry  of  the  Church 48 

Section  1.    Exhorters 48 

Section  2.    Quarterly  conference  preachers 49 

Section  3.    Annual  conference  preachers 51 

Section  4.    Reception     of    preachers     from     other 

churches 54 

Sections.     Classification  of  the  ministry 55 

Section  6.     Elders 56 

Section  7.    Presiding  elders 58 

Section  8.     Bishops 60 

Section  9,    Trial  of  preachers 64 

Section  10.    Transfer  of  preachers 67 

Section  11.     Marriage— Who  may  solemnize 68 

Section  12.    General  duties  of  preachers 68 

iii 


IV  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  Vll.— The  Itineracy 7f^ 

Section  1.     Itinerants— How  constituted 70 

Section  2.     Duties  of  itinerants 72 

Sections.    Preachers'  salaries 75 

CHAPTER  \Ul.-Appeals 70 

Section  1.     From  decision  of  a  class 70 

Section  2.     From  decision  of  a  quarterly  conference..    70 

Section  3.     Court  of  appeals 77 

CHAPTER  IX  —Seceding  Members— Special  Enactment...    79 

CHAPTER  'X..— Courses  oS  Reading  and  Study 80 

Section  1.     For  quarterly  conference  preachers 80 

Section  2.     For  annual  conference  preachers 81 

Sections.    German  course  of  reading 83 

Section  4.    Completing  the  course 84 

Sections.    Preparation  for  the  ministry 84 

CHAPTER  XI.— Meeting-houses  and  Parsonages 85 

CHAPTER  XU.— Moral  Reform 89 

Section  1.    Temperance 89 

Section  2.    Slavery 90 

Sections.    Secret  combinations 91 

Section  4.    Oaths 91 

Section  5.     War 91 

Sections.    Marriage  relation 92 

CHAPTER  Xni.— Doctrinal  Publications 93 

CHAPTER  XIV.— Charters 93 

CHAPTER  XY .—Sabbath- schools 94 

Section  1.  Duties  to  children  and  Sabbath-schools...  94 
Section  2.  Constitution  of  the  General  S.  B.  Board...  93 
Sections.    Annual  conference  relations  and  duties...    98 

Section  4.    Organization  of  Sabbath-schools 99 

Section  5.     Relation  of  S.  S.  to  missionary  work 100 

Section  6.    Form  of  constitution  of  Sabbath-school...  100 

CHAPTER  XVI.— Missionary  Society 103 

CHAPTER  XVn.— Woman's  Missionary  Aaociat ion 108 

By-laws 109 

Branch  constitution Ill 

Local  constitution 113 


CONTENTS.  V 

CHAPTER  XWU.  — Church- Erection  Society 114 

CHAPTER  XIX.— Printing  Establishment 119 

CHAPTER  XX.—Educationallnstitutions 121 

Section  1.    Board  of  education 121 

Section  2.    Academies 126 

Sections.     Colleges 126 

Section  4.    Union  Biblical  Seminary 127 

Section  5.    Special  effort  for  educational  institutions..  131 

CHAPTER  XXl.—Hi.sforicnl  Society 131 

CHAPTER  XXI I. —Boundaries 132 

Section  1.    Bishops'  districts 132 

Section  2.    Annual  conferences 133 

CHAPTER  XXlIl.-Fonnulas 149 

Section  1.    Ordination  of  elders 149 

Section  2.    Marriage  ceremony 151 

Section  3.    Burial  of  the  dead 152 

Section  4.    Church  dedication 153 

Forms ; 157 


DISCIPLINE. 


CHAPTER   I. 
ORIGIN   OF  THE   UNITED   BRETHREN   IN   CHRIST. 


In  the  eighteenth  century  it  pleased  the  Lord 
our  God  to  awaken  persons  in  different  parts  of  the 
world,  who  should  raise  up  the  Christian  religion 
from  its  fallen  state  and  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ 
crucified  in  its  purity. 

About  the  middle  of  the  said  century,  the  Lord, 
in  mercy,  remembered  the  Germans  in  America, 
who,  living  scattered  in  this  extensive  country, 
seldom  had  an  opportunity  to  hear  the  gospel  of  a 
crucified  Savior  preached  to  them  in  their  native 
language. 

Among  others,  he  raised  up  William  Otter- 
BEiN  and  Martin  Boehm,  in  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  George  A.  Geeting,  in  the  State 
of  Maryland,  armed  them  with  spirit,  grace,  and 
strength  to  labor  in  his  negle(5ted  vineyard,  and  to 
call,  among  the  Germans  in  America,  sinners  to 
repentance.  These  men  obeyed  the  call  of  their 
Lord  and  Master.  Their  labors  were  blest,  and 
7 


8  .     DISCIPLINE. 

they  established  in  many  places  excellent  socie- 
ties and  led  many  precious  souls  to  Jesus  Christ. 
Their  sphere  of  adlion  spread  more  and  more,  so 
that  they  found  it  necessary  to  look  about  for  more 
fellow-laborers  to  engage  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord;  for  the  harvest  was  great  and  the  laborers 
few.  The  Lord  called  others,  who  were  willing  to 
devote  their  strength  to  his  service.  Such,  then, 
were  accepted  b}"-  one  or  another  of  the  preachers 
as  fellow- laborers. 

The  number  of  membe|-s  in  the  society  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  country  continued  to  increase  from 
time  to  time,  and  the  gracious  work  of  reformation 
spread  through  the  states  of  Pennsylvania,  Mary- 
land, and  Virginia^  Several  great  meetings  were 
appointed  and  held  annually.  On  such  occasions 
Otterbein  would  hold  particular  conversations 
with  the  preachers  then  present,  and  represent  to 
them  the  importance  of  the  ministry  and  the  neces- 
sity of  their  utmost  endeavors  to  save  souls.  At 
one  of  these  meetings  it  was  resolved  to  hold  a 
conference  with  all  the  preachers,  in  order  to  take 
into  consideration  in  what  manner  they  might  be 
most  useful. 

The  first  conference  was  held  in  the  city  of  Bal- 
timore, Maryland,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord   1789 
The  following  preachers  were  present : 
Wm.  Otterbein,  Adam  Lehman, 

Martin  Boehm,  John  Ernst, 

Geo.  a.  Geeting,  Hexry  Weidner, 

Christian  Newcomer. 


DISCIPLINE.  9 

The   second   conference   was  held   in   Paradise 
Township,    York    County,'  Pennsylvania,    at    the 
house  of  Bro.  Spangler,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1791.     The  following  preachers  were  present: 
Wm.  Otterbein,  John  Ernst, 

Martin  Boehm,  J.  G.  Pfrimmer, 

Geo.  a.  Geeting,  John  Neidig, 

Christian  Newcomer,    Benedict  Sanders, 

Adam  I,ehman. 
After  mature  deliberation  as  to  how  they  might 
labor  most  usefully  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord, 
they  again  appointed  as  fellow-laborers  such  as 
they  had  come  to  believe  had  experienced  true  re- 
ligion in  their  souls. 

Meantime  the  number  of  members  continued  to 
increase,  and  the  preachers  were  obliged  to  appoint 
an  annual  conference,  in  order  to  unite  themselves 
more  closely  and  to  labor  more  successfully  in  the 
vineyard  of  the  Lord;  for  some  had  been  Presby- 
terians or  German  Reformed,  some  Lutherans,  and 
others  Mennonites.  They  accordingly  appointed 
a  conference  to  be  held  on  the  25th  of  September, 
1800,  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland,  at  the  house 
of  Bro.  F'rederick  Kemp.  The  following  preach- 
ers were  present: 
Wm.  Otterbein,  Christian  Krum, 

Martin  Boehm,  Henry  Krum, 

Geo.  a  Geeting,  John  Hershey, 

Christian  Newcomer,  Jacob  Geisinger, 
Adam  Lehman,  .     Henry  Boehm, 

Abraham  Trokel,  Dietrick  Aurand, 

J.  G,  Pfrimmer. 


lO  DISCIPLIISrE. 

There  tliey  united  themselves  into  a  society 
which  bears  the  name  "United  Brethren  in 
Christ,"  and  elected  Wm.  Otterbein and  Martin 
BOEH.M  as  superintendents,  or  bishops,  and  agreed 
that  each  of  them  should  be  at  liberty  as  to  the 
mode  and  manner  of  Baptism,  to  perform  it  accord- 
ing to  his  own  convidlions. 

From  this  time,  the  society  increasing  still  more 
and  more,  preachers  were  appointed  to  travel  regu- 
larly, inasmuch  as  the  number  of  preaching-places 
could  not  otherwise  be  attended  to;  and  the  work 
spread  itself  into  the  states  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky. 
It  then  became  necessary  to  appoint  a  conference 
in  the  State  of  Ohio,  because  it  was  conceived  too 
laborious  for  the  preachers  who  labored  in  those 
States  to  travel  annually  such  a  great  distance  to 
conference. 

Meantime  Brothers  Boehm  and  GEETixodied, 
and  Brother  Otterbein  desired  that  another 
bishop  should  be  elecfted  (because  infirmity  and  old 
age  would  not  permit  him  to  superintend  any 
longer),  who  should  take  charge  of  the  society, 
and  preserve  discipline  and  order.  It  was  resolved 
at  a  former  conference  that  whenever  one  of  the 
bishops  died  another  should  be  eledled  in  his  place. 
Accordingly,  Brother  Christian  Newcomer  was 
elected  bishop,  to  take  charge  of  and  superintend 
the  concerns  of  the  society. 

The  want  of  a  discipline  in  the  society  had  long 
been  deeply  felt,  and  partial  attempts  to  provide 
one  having  been  made  at  different  times,   it  was 


DISCIPLINE.  H 

resolved,  at  the  conference  held  in  the  State   of 
Ohio,  that  a  general  conference  should  be  held  in 
order  to  accomplish  the  same,  in   a  manner  not 
derogatory  to  the  word  of  God.     The  members  of 
this  conference  were  to  be  ele(5led  from  among  the 
preachers  in  the  different  parts  of  the  country,  by 
a  vote  of  the  society  in  general.      The  following 
brethren  were  duly  eledled: 
Christian  Newcomer,     Daniel  Troyer, 
Abraham  Hiestand,        Geo.  Benedum, 
Andrew  Zeller,  Abraham  Trokel, 

Christian  Berger,  Henry  G.  Spayth, 

Abraham  Mayer,  I.  Niswander, 

John  Schneider,  Christian  Krum, 

Henry  Kumler,  Jacob  Bowlus. 

The  conference  convened  on  the  6th  of  June, 
1 815,  near  Mount  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  County, 
Pennsylvania.  After  mature  deliberation,  they 
presented  to  their  brethren  a  discipline,  contain- 
ing the  do(5lrine  and  rules  of  the  Church,  desiring 
that  they,  together  with  the  word  of  God,  should 
be  stndlly  observed. 

God  is  a  God  of  order,  but  where  there  is  no 
order  and  no  church- discipline,  the  spirit  of  love 
and  charity  will  be  lost 

Therefoie,  brethren,  we  beseech  you  to  follow  the 
example  of  our  Lord,  as  it  is  written,  "  Be  kindly 
affe(5lioned  one  to  another  with  brotherly  love  ;  in 
honor  preferring  one  another."  Let  the  mind  be 
in  you  which  was  in  Christ,  who  took  upon  him 
the  form  of  a  servant,  humbled  himself,  and  be- 


12  DISCIPLINK. 

came  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the 
cross,  that  by  his  grace  we  may  submit  ourselves 
one  to  another  in  the  fear  of  God.  He  who  will 
not  submit  is  in  want  of  humble  love.  Jesus  said, 
"  Whosoever  of  3'ou  will  be  the  chiefest  shall  be 
servant  of  all.  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye 
are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to  another." 
"He  that  loveth  not  his  brother  abideth  in  death." 
lyet  us  walk  in  newness  of  life,  that  the  prayer  of 
our  Lord  may  be  answered  in  us  ;  that  we  may  be 
one  in  him,  and  that  he  may  give  us  the  glory 
which  he  gave  to  his  disciples,  that  we  may  be 
one  even  as  he  and  the  Father  are  one.  There- 
fore, beloved  brethren,  let  us  strive  to  be  like- 
minded,  having  the  same  love,  being  of  one  accord, 
of  one  mind.  I,et  no  one  speak  or  think  evil  of 
his  brother,  biit  pray  God  that  he  may  grant  us  his 
Spirit,  and  an  earnest  desire  to  lead  a  truly  devoted 
life,  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  his  holy  name. 
Amen. 


The  foregoing  account  of  the  origin  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
appeared  in  the  Discipline  of  1815,  the  first  Dis- 
cipline published.  Only  the  slightest  changes 
in  phraseolog}^,  as  the  years  have  passed,  have 
been  made.  The  place  of  the  conference  of  1800, 
probably  should  be  given  as  at  Peter  Kemp's, 
instead  of  at  Frederick  Kemp's,  both  places  being 
in  the  same  county.  It  is  proper  to  state  that 
the  present   Discioh^'^    '-o'?<^?was    the    confession 


DISCIPLINE.  13 

of  faith  and  the  constitution  as  amended  accord- 
ing to  the  a(5lion  of  the  General  Conference  of 
1SS5,  and  approved  and  confirmed  by  the  General 
Conference  of  18S9.  The  confession  of  faith  ap- 
peared in  its  first  printed  form  in  1815.  The  con- 
stitution, in  its  earlier  form,  wag  adopted  in  1S41. 


CHAPTER   II. 

CONFESSION   OF   FAITH. 

In    the  name  of  God,  we  declare    and    confess 
before  all  men  the  following  articles  of  our  belief: 

ARTICLE   I. 

Of  God  and  the  Holy  Trinity. 
We  believe  in  the  only  true  God,  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  that  these  three  are  one — 
the  Father  in  the  Son,  the  Son  in  the  Father,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost  equal  in  essence  or  being  with  the 
Father  and  the  Son. 

ARTICLE   II. 

Of  Creation  and  Providence. 
We  believe  that  this  triune  God  created  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all  that  in  them  is, 
visible  and  invisible  ;  that  he  sustains,  protedls, 
and  governs  these,  with  gracious  regard  for  the 
welfare  of  man,  to  the  glory  of  his  name. 

ARTICLE   IIL 

Offestis  Christ. 
We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  ;  that  he  is  very  God 
and  man  ;  that  he  became  incarnate  by  the  power 


14  DISCIPLINE. 

of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  was  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary;  that  he  is  the  Savior  and  Mediator  of  the 
whole  human  race,  if  they  with  full  faith  accept 
the  grace  proffered  in  Jesus;  that  this  Jesus  suf- 
fered and  died  on  the  cross  for  us,  was  buried, 
rose  again  on  the  third  day,  ascended  into  heaven, 
and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  to  intercede 
for  us;  and  that  he  will  come  again  at  the  last 
day  to  judge  the  living  and  the  dead. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

0/  the  Holy  Ghost. 
We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  that  he  is  equal 
in  being  with  the  Father  and  the  Son;  that  he 
convinces  the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and 
of  judgment;  that  he  comforts  the  faithful  and 
guides  them  into  all  truth. 

ARTICLE   V. 

Of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 
We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old  and  New 
Testaments,  is  the  word  of  God;  that  it  reveals 
the  only  true  way  to  our  salvation;  that  ever}'  true 
Christian  is  bound  to  acknowledge  and  receive  it 
hy  the  help  of  the  Spirit  of  God  as  the  only  rule 
and  guide  in  faith  and  practice. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

Of  the  Church. 
We   believe   in   a   holy  Christian    church,  com- 
posed of  true  believers,  in  which  the  word  of  God 
is  preached  by  men  divinely  called,  and  the  ordi- 
nances are  duly  administered;  that  this  divine  in- 


DISCIPLINE,  17 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

Of  the  FtiHire  State. 

We  believe  in  the  resurredlion  of  the  dead  ;  the 

future  general  judgment  ;  and  an  eternal  state  of 

rewards,  in  which  the  righteous  dwell  in  endless 

life,  and  the  wicked  in  endless  punishment. 


CONSTITUTION. 

In  the  name  of  God,  we,  the  members  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the 
body  of  Christ,  for  the  more  speedy  and  effecflual 
rpread  of  the  Gospel,  and  in  order  to  produce  and 
secure  uniformity  in  faith  and  pradlice,  to  define 
the  powers  and  business  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence as  recognized  by  this  church,  and  to  preserve 
inviolate  the  popular  will' of  the  membership  of 
the  Church,  do  ordain  this  Constitution: 

ARTICLE  I. 

Section  i.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein 
granted,  to  ena(5l  or  repeal  any  rule  or  rules  of  dis- 
cipline, is  vested  in  a  General  Conference,  which 
shall  consist  of  elders  and  laymen  ele<5led  in  each 
annual  conference  distri(5l  throughout  the  Church. 
The  number  and  ratio  of  elders  and  laj'men,  and 
the  mode  of  their  elecfkion,  shall  be  determined 
by  the  General  Conference. 

Provided,  however.  That  such  elders  shall  have 
stood  as  elders  in  the  conferences  which  they  are 


IS  DISCIPLINE. 

to  represent  for  no  less  time  than  three  years  next 
preceding  the  meeting  of  the  General  Conference 
to  which  they  are  eledled  ;  and  that  such  laymen 
shall  be  not  less  than  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and 
shall  have  been  members  of  the  Church  six  years, 
and  members  in  the  conference  districts  which 
they  are  to  represent  at  least  three  years  next  pre- 
ceding the  meeting  of  the  General  Conference  to 
which  they  are  eledled. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  convene 
every  four  years,  and  a  majority  of  the  whole 
number  of  delegates  ele6led  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

Sec.  3.  The  ministerial  and  lay  delegates  shall 
deliberate  and  vote  together  as  one  body;  but  the 
General  Conference  shall  have  power  to  pro\'ide 
for  a  vote  bj'  separate  orders  whenever  it  deems  it 
best  to  do  so  ;  and  in  such  cases  the  concurrent 
vote  of  both  orders  shall  be  necessary  to  complete 
an  adlion. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall,  at  each 
session,  eledl  bishops  from  among  the  elders 
throughout  the  Church  who  have  stood  six  years 
in  that  capacity. 

Sec.  5.  The  bishops  shall  be  members  ex-officio 
and  presiding  officers  of  the  General  Conference; 
but,  in  case  no  bishop  be  present,  the  Conference 
shall  choose  a  president  pro  tempore. 

Sec.  6.  The  General  Conference  shall  determine 
the  number  and  boundaries  of  the  annual  confer- 
ences. 


DISCIPLINE.  19 

Sec.  7.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power 
to  review  the  records  of  the  annual  conferences 
and  see  that  the  business  of  each  annual  confer- 
ence is  done  stricflly  in  accordance  with  the  disci- 
pline, and  approve  or  annul,  as  the  case  may 
require. 

Sec.  8.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  full 
control  of  The  United  Brethren  Printing  Establish- 
ment, The  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Mission- 
ary Society,  The  Church-Erection  Society,  The 
General  Sabbath-school  Board,  The  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, and  Union  Biblical  Seminary.  It  shall  also 
have  power  to  establish  and  manage  any  other  or- 
ganization or  institution  within  the  Church  which 
it  may  deem  helpful  in  the  work  of  evangeliza- 
tion. \ 

Sec.  9.  The  General  Conference  shall  have 
power  to  establish  a  court  of  appeals. 

Sec.  10.  The  General  Conference  ma)' — two 
thirds  of  the  members  eledled  thereto  concurring — 
propose  changes  in,  or  additions  to,  the  confession 
of  faith  ;  provided,  that  the  concurrence  of  three 
fourths  of  the  annual  conferences  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  their  final  ratification. 
article  II. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power,  as 
provided  in  Article  I,  se(5lion  i,  of  this  Constitu- 
tion, to  make  rules  and  regulations  for  the  Church; 
nevertheless,  it  shall  be  subje(5l  to  the  following 
limitations  and  rcstri'ilions: 

Section  i.     The   General  Conference  shall  en- 


20  DISCIPLINE. 

adl  no  rule  or  ordinance  which  will  change  or 
destroy  the  confession  of  faith,  and  shall  establish 
no  standard  of  dodlrine  contrary  to  the  confession 
of  faith. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  enadl  no 
rule  which  will  destroy  the  itinerant  plan.   • 

Sec.  3.  The  General  Conference  shall  enadl  no 
rule  which  will  deprive  local  preachers  of  their 
votes  in  the  annual  conferences  to  which  they 
severally  belong. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall  enadl  no 
rule  which  will  abolish  the  right  of  appeal. 

ARTICLE   III. 

Section  i.  We  declare  that  all  secret  combina- 
tions which  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  those  out- 
side their  organization,  and  whose  principles  and 
pra(5lices  are  injurious  to  the  Christian  charadler 
of  their  members,  are  contrary  to  the  word  of  God, 
and  that  Christians  ought  to  have  no  connedlion 
with  them.  • 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
enadl  such  rules  of  discipline  with  respedl  to  such 
combinations  as  in  its  judgment  it  may  deem 
proper, 

Sec.  2.  We  declare  that  human  slavery  is  a  vio- 
lation of  human  rights,  and  contrary  to  the  word 
of  God.  It  shall  therefore  in  no  wise  be  tolerated 
among  us. 

article  IV. 

The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of  all  prop- 
erty, both  real  and  personal,  of  whatever  name  or 


DISCIPLINE.  21 

description,  obtained  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  by 
any  person  or  persons,  for  the  use,  benefit,  and 
behoof  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  are  hereby  fully  recognized,  and  held  to 
vest  in  the  Church  aforesaid. 

ARTICLE   V. 

Section  i.  Amendments  to  this  Constitution 
ma}'  be  proposed  by  any  General  Conference  — 
two  thirds  of  the  members  ele(5led  thereto  concur- 
ring-—  which  amendments  shall  be  siibmilted  to  a 
vote  of  the  membership  throughout  the  Church, 
under  regulations  authorized  by  taid  conference. 

A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  upon  any  sub- 
mitted amendment  shall  be  necessary  to  its  final 
ratification. 

Sec.  2.  The  foregoing  amended  Constitution 
shall  be  in  force  from  and  after  the  first  Monday 
after  Lhe  second  Thursday  of  May,  1S89,  upon  offi- 
cial proclamation  thereof  by  the  Board  of  Bishops; 
provided^  that  the  General  Conference  ele<5led  for 
1S89  shall  be  the  lawful  legislative  body  under  the 
amended  Constitution,  with  full  i:)ower,  until  its 
final  adjournment,  to  enadl  such  rules  as  this 
amended  Constitution  authorizes. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
MEMBERS. 
Section  I. 

RECEPTION  OF  MEMBERS. 

When  at  any  meetirg  there  are  persons  who  de- 
sire to  unite  with  the  Church,  the  preacher  present 


22  DISCIPLINE. 

shall  call  the  applicants  forward  and  address  them 
as  follows: 

Dear  Friends  :  We  greet  you  as  you  come 
seeking  admission  into  the  church  which  our  Sa- 
vior purchased  with  his  own  blood,  and  rejoice 
with  you  that  through  the  grace  of  God  you  have 
been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and 
have  been  made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation. 
The  privileges  you  seek  are  above  price,  and  the 
duties  enjoined  are  solemn.  It  is  proper  that  you 
publicly  confess  your  faith  and  avow  your  purpose 
by  answering  the  following  questions  : 
Oiies lions  to  Applicants. 

1.  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of 
God,  and  that  therein  only  is  contained  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  way  of  salvation  ? 

2.  Have  you  experienced  the  pardon  of  your 
sins,  and  have  you  now  peace  with  God  ? 

3.  Are  you  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to 
follow  Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungod-. 
liness,  seeking  to  lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devo- 
tion to  God  and  his  cause  ? 

4.  Are  you  willing  to  be  governed  by  our  church- 
discipline  ? 

5.  Have  you  been  baptized  ? 

[If  the  answer  be  in  the  negative,  then  the  appli- 
cant shall  be  required  to  attend  to  the  duty  as  soon 
as  pra(5licable.] 

Acceptance  of  Applicants, 

I.  If  the  persons  answer  the  above  questions  in 
the  affirmative,  and  no  lawful  objecSlions  be  made 


DISCIPLINE.  23 

by  any  tr  ember,  then  the  preacher  shall  give  his 
right  hand  to  such  persons  as  members  of  our 
church,  and  record  their  names  on  the  church- 
book  ;  provided,  however,  that  where  a  local 
church  deems  it  advisable  for  its  protedlion  against 
imposition,  a  committee  may  be  appointed,  who, 
together  with  the  pastor,  may  make  inquiry  as  to 
the  advisability  of  admitting  such  applicants  to 
membership  in  the  Church  according  to  the  fore- 
going requirements. 

Receiving  Persons  from   Other  Churches. 
When  persons   come  to  us  with  certificates  of 
good  standing  in  other   churches,  they   shall  an- 
swer  the   fourth   question   affirmatively,   and   the 
hand  of  fellowship  shall  be  given^hem  as  in  other 

cases. 

Seekers. 

2.  Any  persons  giving  evidence  that  they  are 
sincerely  seeking  the  L,ord,  may  be  received  under 
the  watch-care  of  the  Church  by  having  their 
names  placed  upon  the  church^book,  but  shall  not 
be  reported  as  members,  nor  shall  they  have  a 
vote  in  the  Church  until  they  shall  have  con- 
formed to  the  rules  in  the  sedlion  relating  to  the 
reception  of  members. 

3.  If  an}'^  person  thus  received  under  the  watch- 
care  of  the  Church  shall  cease  to  manifest  a  desire 
to  seek  the  Lord,  the  preacher  in  charge,  by  the 
consent  of  the  local  Church  or  official  board,  may, 
at  any  time,  after  personal  but  unsuccessful  labor 
for  his  salvation,  drop  the  nauie  of  such  seeker. 


24  DISCIPLINE. 

Preacher's  Responsihiliiy. 
4.  Any  preacher  refusing  or  negledling  to  ask 
the  foregoing  questions,  or  who  shall  receive  mem- 
bers into  the  Church  in  violation  of  this  order, 
shall  be  answferable  for  the  same  in  the  conference 
of  which  he  is  a  member. 

Section  II. 

DUTIES   OF  MEMBERS. 

1.  All  members  of  this  church  shall  acknowl- 
edge and  confess  that  they  believe  the  Bible  to  be 
the  word  of  God  ;  that  they  will  henceforth  strive, 
with  all  their  hearts,  to  seek  their  eternal  welfare 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  work  out  their  salvation  with 
fear  and  trembling,  to  the  end  that  they  may  be 
enabled  to  flee  itova.  the  wrath  to  come. 

Means  of  Grace. 

2.  Rvery  member  shall  endeavor  to  lead  a  godly 
life  ;  attend  to  the  ordinances  of  God's  house, 
namel}',  baptism  and  the  remembrance  of  the 
sufferings  and  death  of  our  lyOrd  Jesus  Christ  ;  be 
diligent  in  praj^er,  particularly  in  private,  and  for 
his  own  edification  attend,  when  practicable,  all 
our  prayer  and  class  meetings,  and  meetings  for 
public  worship. 

Family  Pieiy. 

3.  Heads  of  families  should  never  omit  to  pray 
with  their  families,  morning  and  evening,  and  to 
set  them  a  good  example  in  all  the  Christian  vir- 
tues. 

SINGING. 

4.  We  believe  it  to  be  the  dutj'  of  all  the  people 


DISCIPLINE.  25 

of  God  to  sing  his  praises,  and  to  sing  them  in  the 
great  congregation  as  well  as  in  the  private  circle. 
We  therefore  earnestly  recommend  to  all  our  peo- 
ple the  cultivation  of  vocal  music,  so  that  the  sing- 
ing in  our  congregations  may  be  improved.  As  a 
help  to  this  end,  we  advise  all  our  people  to  pro- 
vide themselves  with  hymn-books  for  use  in  times 
of  public  and  social  worship. 

Love  to  Others. 

5.  Every  one  should  strive  to  walk  as  in  the 
presence  of  God,  and  accustom  himself  to  a  close 
communion  with  God  in  all  his  employments  ;  and 
never  to  speak  evil  of  his  fellow-beings,  but  prac- 
tice love  toward  friend  and  foe,  do  good  to  the 
poor,  and  endeavor  to  be  a  follower  of  Jesus  Christ 
indeed.  * 

Sabbath  Observance. 

6.  Everyone  shall  keep  the  Sabbath-day  holy, 
as  required  in  the  word  of  God;  neither  buy  nor 
sell,  but  spend  the  same  in  exercises  of  devotion, 
in  reading  and  hearing  the  word  of  God,  and  in 
singing  spiritual  hymns  to  the  honor  and  glory  of 
God. 

Obedience  to  Government. 

7.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  member  to  lead  a 
quiet,  peaceable,  and  godly,  life  among  men,  as  it 
becomes  a  Christian  to  live  in  peace,  and  be  sub- 
jeclfl  to  the  higher  or  ruling  powers,  as  the  word  of 
God  requires. 

Sabba  th -School, 

8.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  our  members  to  encour- 


26  DISCIPLINE, 

age  our  Sabbath-schools  by  their  presence  when 
pradlicable,  and  always  to  give  them  their  aid  and 
influence. 

Support  of  the  Gospel. 

9.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  members  of  the  Church 
to  pay  toward  the  support  of  the  itinerant  minis- 
try, quarterly,  or  oftener  if  need  be,  in  proportion 
to  their  ability,  as  God  has  prospered  them  ;  for 
the  Lord  hath  ordained  that  they  who  preach  the 
gospel  shall  live  of.  the  gospel,  (I  Cor.  9:  14;  I. 
Tim,  5:  iS.),  and  we  do  earnestl}'  recommend  to  all 
of  our  people  the  Bible  method  of  weekly  contri- 
butions. "Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week  let 
every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  hath 
prospered  him."     I.  Cor.  16:2. 

Support  of  General  Interests. 

10.  It  is  also  the  duty  of  all  our  members  to 
contribute,  according  to  their  ability,  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  various  benevolent  interests  of  the 
Church. 

Receiving  the  Pastor. 

11.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  distri(fls,  stations,  cir- 
cuits, and  missions  to  cheerfully  receive  the 
preachers  appointed  by  the  stationing  committee 
of  the  respective  annual  conferences. 

Care  of  the  Poor. 

12.  Each  member  of  our  church  should  will- 
ingly and  freely  contribute  quarterly,  or  oftener  if 
need  be,  as  God  has  prospered  him  (I.  Cor.  16:  2), 
to  the  support  of  the  helpless  poor. 


DISCIPLINE.  27 

When  it  is  known  by  any  of.  our  class-leaders 
that  there  are  poor  members  among  them,  -who 
by  sickness,  accident,  or  other  unavoidable  cir- 
cumstances, have  been  brought  to  want,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  leader  in  charge  to  wait  upon  the 
class,  or  to  appoint  some  one  to  do  so, 'to  ask  alms, 
money,  clothing,  or  produce,  as  the  circumstances 
may  require.  Should  any  one  class  be  too  poor 
to  relieve  its  poor,  it  shall  then  be  made  known 
to  the  pastor, 'whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  inform 
the  different  classes  on  his  charge;  andf  it  sho  uld 
so  happen  that  any  one  charge  should  be  insuffic- 
ient to  meet  the  wants  of  the  poor,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  presiding  elder  to  present  the  matter 
on  the  different  charges  at  their  quarterly  confer- 
ences, so  that  the  unavoidably  poor  of  our  church, 
may  be  considered  and  provided  for.  (I.  John  3: 
17;  Psalm  12:  I,  2. J 

Non-confo7viity  to  the  World. 

13.  Inasmuch  as  the  L,ord  has  commanded  us 
not  to  be  conformed  to  this  world  (Rom.  12:  2),  to 
lay  apart  all  filthiness,  and  superfluity  of  naughti- 
ness (James  i:  21),  and  as  the  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion,  as  taught  by  both  the  precepts 
and  the  example  of  the  meek  and  adorable  Savior, 
are  in  stri(5l  and  perfeA  accordance  with  these 
commandments,  we  therefore  humbly  beseech  and 
admonish  the  members  of  our  church  to  observe 
these  divine  precepts.  "  In  like  manner  also,  that 
women  adorn  themselves  in  modest  apparel,  with 
shamefacedness   and   sobriety  ;   not  with   braided 


28  DISCIPLINE. 

hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costl}'  array;  but  (which 
becometh  women  professing  godliness)  with  good 
works"  (i.  Tim.  2:  9,  10);  and  "whose  adorning  let 
it  not  be  that  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair, 
and  of  wearing  of  gold,  or  of  putting  on  of  ap- 
parel ;  but  let  it  be  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart, 
in  that  which  is  not  corruptible,  even  the  ornament 
of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  in  the  sight 
of  God  of  great  price."     (i.  Peter  3:  3,  4) 

NECESSITY  OF  UNION  AMONG-  OURSELVES. 

14.  I^et  us  be  deeply  sensible  (from  what  we  have 
known)  of  the  evil  of  a  division  in  principle,  spirit, 
or  practice,  and  of  the  dreadful  consequences  to 
ourselves  and  others.  If  we  are  united,  what  can 
stand  before  us  ?  If  we  are  divided,  we  shall  injure 
ourselves,  the  work  of  God,  and  the  souls  of  our 
people.     To  this  end  : 

1.  Let  us  be  deeply  convinced  of  the  absolute 
necessity  of  union. 

2.  lyCt  us  pray  earnestly  for  one  another,  and 
speak  truly  and  freely  to  one  another, 

3.  When  we  meet,  let  us  never  part  without 
prayer,  if  prayer  is  at  all  pracflicable. 

4.  Let  us  take  great  care  not  to  despise  one 
another's  gifts. 

5.  Let  us  never  speak  lightly  of  one  another. 

6.  Let  us  defend  one  another's  chara(5ler  in 
everything,  so  far  as  is  consistent  with  truth. 

7.  Let  us  labor  in  honor,  each  preferring  an 
other  before  himself. 

8.  We  recommend  a  serious  examination  of  the 


DISCIPLINE.  29 

causes,  evils,  and  cures  of  heart  and  church  divi- 
sions. 

Duty  of  Obedience. 

15.  The  foregoing  rules  are  drawn  up  for  the 
better  regulation  of  our  church  ;  and  we  believe 
they  are  founded  in  the  word  of  God,  and  incum- 
bent on  all  who  are  members  of  our  churcli  to  ob- 
serve. Should  any  violate  or  habitually  negle(5l 
these  rules,  they  shall  be,  by  their  respeclive  class 
leaders,  admonished  to  reformation  ;  and  should 
they  not  reform,  they  shall  be  suspended  or  ex- 
pelled, as  the  ease  maj-  require,  by  vote  of  the 
local  church  or  official  board. 
Section  III. 

TRIAL  OF  MEMBERS. 

When  members  trespass  against  one  another,  let 
the  following  diredlions  be  followed: 

"  If  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against  thee,  go 
and  tell  him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone: 
if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother. 
But  if  he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take  v/ith  thee 
one  or  two  more.  And  if  he  shall  negledl  to  hear 
them,  tell  it  unto  the  church:  but  if  he  negledl  to 
hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as  a  heathen 
man  and  a  publican  ;  "  that  is,  he  shall  be  expelled 
by  the  local  church  or  official  board. 
Imvioral  Condncl. 

In  case  of  members  accused  of  immoral  condu(5l, 
the  class  or  official  board  shall  appoint  one  or 
more  to  visit  the  accused  person,  atid,  if  possible, 
reclaim  him  \  but  if  unsuccessful,  and  the  guilt  be 


30  DISCIPLINE. 

denied,  he  shall  be  tried  by  the  class  to  which  he 
belongs,  or  a  committee  thereof,  chosen  by  the 
parties  concerned,  with  the  preacher  in  charge  of 
the  circuit  or  station,  who  shall  be  chairman  ;  and 
if  found  guilty,  the  accused  shall  be  expelled,  by 
a  vote  of  the  local  church  or  official  board,  unless 
satisfadlion  be  given.  If  the  accused  refuse  to 
choose  his  committee-man  when  properly  noti- 
fied, the  quarterly  conference  shall  choose  a  sec- 
ond person,  and  these  two  a  third,  which  committee 
shall  try  the  case  and  decide.  Yet  cases  may  hap- 
pen where  it  would  be  expedient  to  choose  a  com- 
mittee from  some  other  class  or  classes  than  the 
one  to  which  the  parties  belong,  in  which  case  it 
shall  be  lawful  to  do  so.  Also,  an  elder  may  be 
chosen  as  chairman,  should  the  preacher  in  charge 
deem  it  best  to  do  so.  Should  any  member  be 
dissatisfied  with  the  decision,  an  appeal  may  be 
had  to  the  quarterly  conference,  by  giving  notice 
thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  secretary  of 
the  trial.  (See  section  on  appeals).  In  such  case, 
however,  the  same  persons  shall  not  sit  in  judg- 
ment on  the  same  case. 

Disobedience  to  the  Order  of  the  Church. 
In  cases  of  negle(5l  of  duty  of  any  kind,  impru- 
dent condudl,  indulging  in  sinful  tempers  or  words, 
or  disobedience  to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the 
Church:  First,  let  private  reproof  be  given  by  the 
preacher  or  leader;  and  it  there  be  an  acknowl- 
edgment of  the  fault,  proper  humiliation,  and  a 
promise  to  reform,  the  person  may  be  borne  with. 


DISCIPLINE.  31 

On  a  second  offense,  the  preacher  or  leader  shall 
take  with  him  one  or  two  faithful  members.  On  a 
third  offense,  let  the  case  be  brought  before  the 
local  church,  or  class,  or  a  sele(5l  committee;  and 
if  there  be  no  satisfa(5lory  humiliation,  the  offender 
shall  be  expelled  by  vote  of  the  local  church  or 
ofEcial  board.  In  case  the  accused  shall  deny  his 
guilt  and  demand  a  trial,  and  there  be  a  reasonable 
doubt  or  question  about  his  guilt,  he  shall  be  tried 
by  a  committee,  and  if  found  guilty,  he  shall  be 
expelled.  In  case  of  trial  under  this  clause,  the 
leader  shall  a(5l  in  behalf  of  the  local  church;  or  if 
the  leader  be  the  offender,  the  steward  shall  adl  as 
prosecutor. 

Disputes. 

In  case  of  a  dispute  between  members  or  preach- 
ers, the  preacher  to  whom  it  shall  be  known  shall 
inquire  into  the  circumstances  of  the  cas.e,  and,  if 
necessarj',  shall  recommend  to  the  contending  par- 
ties a  reference  to  a  committee,  consisting  of  one 
arbiter  chosen  by  the  plaintiff,  and  another  by  the 
defendant,  and  a  third  by  these  two;  then  these 
three  are  to  decide.  But  if  the  preacher  to  whom 
the  dispute  is  known  shall  refuse  or  negledl  to  a(5l, 
then  the  quarter!}'  conference  shall  appoint  one  to 
carry  out  the  rule;  and  if  either  or  both  disputants 
refuse  to  choose  an  arbiter,  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence shall  appoint  the  first  and  second,  and  these 
two  a  third,  who  shall  hear  the  case  and  decide. 
Right  of  Appeal. 

Should  cither  party  be  dissatisfied  with  the  de- 


32  DISCIPLINE. 

cision,  such  may  have  a  right  to  an  appeal  to  the 
next  quarterly  conference  for  a  second  arbitration, 
where  each  party  shall  choose  two  arbiters,  and 
the  four  shall  choose  a  fifth,  a  decision  of  a  ma- 
jority of  whom  shall  be  final.  Any  person  refus- 
ing to  abide  by  this  decision  shall  be  expelled 
without  further  trial. 

Gohig  to  Law  Forbidden. 

Every  member  refusing,  in  case  of  debt  or  dis- 
pute, to  refer  the  matter  to  arbitration  when  rec- 
ommended to  him  by  a  preacher  or  leader,  or  who 
shall  enter  into  a  lawsuit  with  anqther  member 
before  these  measures  are  taken,  shall  be  expelled 
without  further  process,  and  his  name  be  so  re- 
corded upon  the  church-record  by  the  preacher  in 
charge,  or  the  class-leader,  except  when  the  case 
is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  require  and  justify  a  pro- 
cess at  law,  as  executors  or  administrators,  or 
when  a  member  is  in  danger  of  suffering  an  unex- 
pe(5led  loss  of  property. 

Record  of  Trials. 

Every  class- leader  shall  keep  a  record  of  the 
proceedings  of  church-trials,  deaths,  expulsions, 
and  removals,  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose; 
and  it  shall  be  his  duty,  in  case  of  an  appeal,  to 
furnish  his  record  to  the  quarterly  conference. 
Order  in  Trials. 

All  church-trials  shall  be  conducfted  in  a  consist- 
ent Christian  manner,  without  the  emplo3'ment  of 
magistrates  and  attorneys  to  administer  oaths  and 
conducl  investigations. 


DISCIPLINE.  ;i^ 

Section  IV. 

TRANSFER  AND  DISMISSAL  OF   MEMBERS. 

Trans/ers. 
When  members  of  our  church  move  from  one 
field  to  another,  they  shall  obtain  a  certificate  of 
transfer  by  a  vote  of  the  majority  of  the  class  to 
which  they  belong,  signed  by  a  preacher  or  leader, 
except  where  they  are  not  in  reach  of  a  class  ;  in 
which  case  any  of  our  preachers  may  give  a  cer- 
tificate to  such  persons  if  they  are  known  to  be  in 
good  standing  ;  and  the  pastor  shall  notify  the 
preacher  in  charge  nearest  the  point  to  which  the 
member  moves. 

AvienabHity  of  Certified  Members. 
Any  person  receiving  a  certificate  of  membership 
of  good   standing,  is  amenable  to  the  class  from 
which  he  receives  it,  until  he  deposit  his  certificate 
with  some  other  local  church. 

Liviit  of  Certificate. 
A  member  who  receives  a  certificate  is  required 
to  present  it  to  some  class,  or  return  it  to  the  class 
by  which  it  was  issued,  within  eighteen  months, 
provided  that  the  holder  of  the  certificate  is  within 
reach  of  a  local  church  ;  otherwise  it  shall  become 
null  and  void. 

Dismissal. 

If  any  of  our  members  desire  to  leave  the  Church, 
and  their  Christian  life  has  been  good,  and  they 
have  settled  all  of  their  subscriptions  and  assess- 
ments, they  shall  receive  an  honorable  dismissal 
3 


34  DISCIPLINE. 

from  the  Church  by  a  vote  of  the  local  church, 
signed  by  the  pastor. 

Menibejship  of  Preachers. 
An  annual-conference  member  may  be  received 
into  a  class  on  his  ministerial  credentials,  so  long 
as  said  credentials  are  held  in  force  by  the  confer- 
ence to  which  he  is  amenable. 


CHAPTER   V. 

GOVERNMENT    OE    THE    CHURCH. 

Section  I. 

CLASSES. 

EleH-ion  of  Leader, 

1.  A  class  shall  consist  of  three  or  more  mem- 
bers, who  shall  annually  elecft  one  member  from 
their  own  or  some  other  class,  to  be  called  their 
leader;  except  that  in  the  organization  of  chil- 
dren's classes  the  pastor  shall  appoint  a  leader. 
This  eledtion  shall  be  held  immediately  preceding 
the  annual  conference. 

Division  of  Classes. 

2.  Classes  shall  be  divided  by  a  committee, 
consisting  of  the  preacher  in  charge  and  one  or 
more  brethren,  elecfled  by  the  local  church  at  any 
place  where  it  may  be  deemed  necessary. 

Disbanding  Classes. 

3.  In  case  it  becomes  impracticable  to  keep  up 
an  organization,  the  members  at  such  place  shall 
be  required  to  join  the  nearest  class  within  six 


DISCIPLINE.  35 

months ;    and    anyone    failing  to   do   so   may  be 
dropped. 

Section  II. 

CLASS-LEADERS. 

Oiialificalio7is. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  leader's  duty  to  lead  a  pious 
life  and  set  a  godly  example  before  his  class  ; 
carefully  to  study  the  Holy  Scriptures,  fully  quali- 
fying himself  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his 
duties  as  leader  and  counselor  of  his  class. 

Holding  Meetings. 

2.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  meet  his  class,  in 
class  or  prayer-meeting,  as  often  as  prac5licable, 
to  speak  to  them  concerning  their  spiritual  wel- 
fare, and  exhort  them  to  unity  and  love.  He  shall 
extend  the  freedom  of  our  prayer  and  class-meet- 
ings to  all  sincere  and  well-disposed  persons  who 
may  desire  to  attend  them. 

Visiting  the  Sick  ajtd  Delinquent, 

3.  When  any  of  his  members  are  sick,  or  delin- 
quent in  the  performance  of  any  of  their  duties  as 
Christians,  he  shall  visit  them,  pr-ay  or  otherwise 
labor  with  them,  as  circumstances  may  require. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency. 
Any  class-leader  failing  to  discharge  these  duties 
may,  on  complaint,  be  removed  by  the  quarterly 
conference. 

Section  III. 

CLASS-STEWARDS. 

Every  class  shall  have  one  or  more  stewards, 


36  DISCIPLINE. 

who  shall  annually  be  appointed  by  the  preacher 
in  charge,  subjeA  to  the  approval  of  the  class. 
ColleElions  for  Pastors. 

1.  The  steward  shall  colledl  quarterh^  contri- 
butions, or  oftener  than  quarterly,  if  needed,  for 
the  support  of  traveling  preachers.  He  shall  keep 
an  accurate  account  of  the  amount  paid  by  each 
member  of  the  class,  in  a  book  provided  for  that 
purpose,  and  report  the  same,  with  name  and 
amount,  to  each  quarterly  conference  or  official 
meeting. 

Eleme7its  for  the  Lord''s  Supper. 

2.  It  shall  also  be  his  duty  to  provide  the  ele- 
ments for  the  sacrament  of  the  lyord's  Supper, 
alwaj'S  securing  unfermented  wine. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency . 

3.  For  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties  as 
Steward,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  quarterly 
conference,  which  shall  have  power  to  dismiss  him 
for  official  delinquency. 

Section  IV. 

OFFICIAL  MEETINGS  FOR  STATIONS. 

Members. 

1.  The  members  of  the  official  meeting  shall  be 
the  properly  recognized  members  of  the  quarterly 
conference. 

2.  The  preacher  in  charge  shall  be  the  president 
of  the  meeting;  and  in  his  absence  one  of  the 
members  shall  be  eledled  president  pro  tent, 

3.  The  president  shall  call  the  meeting  to  order, 
and  begin  and  conclude  with  prayer. 


DISCIPLINE.  37 

Duties  of  Official  Meetings. 
I.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  official  meeting  to 
eledl  a  secretary,  who  shall   make  a  record  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  meeting. 

•  2.  To  elect  a  treasurer,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  receive  from  stewards  all  moneys  that  have  been 
coUecfled,  and  receipt  therefor;  and  said  treasurer 
shall  pay  out  all  moneys  in  his  hands  as  the  official 
meeting  may  direct. 

3.  To  receive  a  statement  from  each  class-leader 
in  reference  to  the  prosperity  of  religion  in  his 
class. 

4.  This  body  shall  meet  once  a  month,  and  may 
meet  oftener  if  circumstances  require. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  official  meeting  to 
receive  all  reports  of  subscriptions,  and  moneys 
colle(5led  and  disbursed  for  the  interest  of  the  sta- 
tion ;  and  all  persons  intrusted  with  subscriptions 
or  moneys  shall  report  the  same  to  the  meeting  as 
soon  as  possible. 

6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  official  meeting  to 
submit  its  a(5ls  to  the  quarterly  conference  for 
examination  and  approval. 

Section   V. 

QUARTERLY  CONFERENCE. 

Members. 
The  members  of  the  quarterly  conference  shall 
be  the  presiding  elder  of  the  distri<5l,  the  preacher 
in  charge,  and  all  the  properly- recognized  preach- 
ers, exhorters,  leaders,  stewards,  church  treas- 
urers,   and    trustees   of   meeting    and    parsonage 


38  DISCIPLIISrE. 

houses,  and  superintendents  of  Sabbath-schools 
(when  said  trustees  and  superintendents  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ),  who  reside  within  the  bounds  of  the  cir- 
cuit, station,  or  mission,  or  hold  membership 
therein.  Such  members  as  are  present  at  any 
regular  meeting-  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the 
transadlion  of  business.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
quarterly  conference  to  open  and  close  with  prayer. 

Duties  of  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

1.  In  the  absence  of  the  presiding  elder,  the 
quarterly  conference  shall  eledl  a  chairman  pro 
teni.,  whose  oflScial  a(5ls  shall  be  valid. 

2.  It  shall  ele(5l  a  secretary,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  keep  a  corre(5l  record  of  all  their  proceedings 
in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  in  which  the 
names  of  all  the  members  composing  the  said  con- 
ference shall  be  entered. 

3.  It  shall  make  inquiry  into  the  moral  deport- 
ment and  ofBcial  chara(5ler  of  all  its  members. 

4.  In  stations  it  shall  eleA  at  the  last  quarterly 
conference  of  the  year  a  church  treasurer,  wherever 
desirable,  who  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly 
conference. 

5.  It  shall  enforce  discipline  in  all  the  classes 
under  its  jurisdi(5lion,  but  in  no  case  disorganize 
a  class  imless  the  preliminary  steps  have  been 
taken  as  required  in  Chapter  V.,  Se(5lion  I.,  of 
Discipline. 

6.  It  shall  make  settlement  with  the  stewards 
and  traveling  preachers. 


DISCIPLINE. 


39 


Appeals  and  Trials. 
7.  It  shall  receive  and  try  all  appeals,  references, 
and  complaints  that  may  come  regularly  before  it  ; 
but  no  member  of  qucirterly  conference  can  be  sus- 
pended or  expelled  from  the  Church  prior  to  a  com- 
mittee trial.  When  a  quarterly-conference  preacher 
or  exhorter  is  accused  of  any  misdemeanor,  he 
shall  be  tried  by  a  committee  of  three,  of  which  the 
accused  shall  choose  one  and  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence a  second,  and  these  two  a  third.  If  the  accused 
refuse  or  negledl  to  choose  his  committee-man  after 
being  properly  notified,  the  quarterly  conference 
shall  choose  a  first  and  a  second  person,  and  these 
two  a  third,  who  shall  hear  the  case  and  decide ;  and 
if  the  accused  is  found  guilty  he  shall  be  silenced  ; 
provided,  however,  that  either  party  shall  have  the 
right  of  appeal  to  the  next  quarterly  conference  for 
a  new  trial. 

Licensing  of  Preachers. 
8.     It  shall  grant  license  to  exhort  01  preach  to 
such  as  may  have  been  recommended  by  at  least 
two  thirds  of  the  class  of  which  they  are  members; 
provided,  however,  that  none  shall  receive  license 
who  cannot  give  satisfacflory  evidence  oftheir  call, 
religious   experience,  soundness  in    do(5lrine,  and 
-ttachment  to  our  church  and  government.     All 
applicants     for     quarterly-conference     license    to 
preach  shall  be  examined  by  quarterly  conference 
according  to   Chapter  VI.,  Sedlion  II.,  of   Disci- 
pline. 
9.     It  shall  renew  the  license  of  exhorters  and 


40  DISCIPLINE. 

quarterly-conference  licensed  preachers  annually, 
if  they  are  found  worthy,  and  to  arrange  a  plan  for 
the  local  preachers  to  preach  regularly  at  stated 
places,  as  the  quarterly  conference  may  diredl. 
Recoynniending  to  the  Annual  Conference. 
lo.  After  such  licentiate  preachers  have  stood  in 
that  capacity  one  or  more  years,  and  have  com- 
pleted the  course  of  reading  required  by  Discipline, 
the  quarterly  conference  may  recommend  them  to 
the  annual  conference. 

Permanent  License. 

1 1 .  Quarterly-conference  preachers  having  passed 
the  course  of  reading  required  by  Discipline,  may 
be  granted  a  permanent  license,  not  subjedl  to 
annual  renewal. 

Ex'czising  fro ni  Exa  m  ination . 

12.  The  quarterly  conference  may  excuse  from 
the  course  of  reading  a  local  preacher  who  has 
attained  the  age  of  fifty  years. 

Class  Connexion. 

13.  All  exhorters  and  quarterly  and  annual  con- 
ference preachers  are  required  to  join  some  con- 
venient class,  and  upon  negledt  or  refusal  to  do  so 
shall  lose  their  official  relation. 

General  Steward. 

14.  The  quarterly  conference,  at  its  last  session 
in  each  year,  shall  appoint  a  steward  for  the 
charge,  whose  dutj'  it  shall  be  to  assist  the  class- 
stewards  in  securing  the  preacher's  salary,  and  re- 
ceive and  audit  the  stewards'  reports. 


DISCIPLINE.  41 

Estimating  Committee. 

15.  The  quarterly  conference  shall,  at  its  last 
session  for  the  year,  appoint  an  estimating  commit- 
tee, which  committee  shall  meet  at  the  time  and 
place  specified  by  the  preacher  appointed  to  the 
charge  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  make  out  an  esti- 
mate of  the  regular  expenses  of  the  circuit,  station, 
or  mission,  and  apportion  the  same  among  the  dif- 
ferent appointments  according  to  their  several  abil- 
ities, and  report  the  same  to  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence for  ratification. 

Apportionm,ent  to  the  Classes. 

16.  Each  class,  after  receiving  its  apportion- 
ment, shall,  as  soon  as  convenient,  on  the  call  of 
the  leader  or  steward,  hold  a  meeting  and  appoint 
a  committee  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make  a 
distribution  of  the  apportionment  to  the  members 
severally  according  to  their  ability,  to  be  paid 
quarterly  or  monthly  ;  provided,  however,  that  it 
shall  be  the  privilege  of  any  class  to  colle(5l  the 
amount  apportioned  to  it  by  subscription  or  other- 
wise. 

Ouestio7is. 

1.  Where  shall  our  next  quarterly  conference  be 
held? 

2.  Is  there  anything  more  to  be  done  ? 

Appeals. 

Any  exhorter  or  preacher  dissatisfied  with  the 

decision  of  a   quarterly  conference  shall,  within 

thirty  days  after  the  quarterly  conference,  notify 

the  secretary,  in  writing,  of  his  intention  to  appeal, 


42  DISCIPLINE. 

together  with  his  reasons  for  so  doing-;  and  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  secretar}'  to  take  or  send  a  cer- 
tified copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification,  and 
reasons  assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

In  all  cases  of  appeal,  whether  to  the  quarterly 
or  annual  conference,  or  to  the  Court  of  Appeals, 
the  course  laid  down  in  the  se<5lion  on  appeals  is 
the  proper  course  to  be  pursued. 
Section  VI. 

ANNUAL    CONFERENCE. 

Members. 
i.  The  annual  conference  shall  consist  of  all  the 
elders  and  licentiate  preachers  who  have  been  duly 
received  by  the  conference,  and  one  layman  from 
each  charge  in  the  conference,  who  shall  be  elecfted 
by  the  quarterl}'  conference,  at  the  next  to  the  last 
session  in  the  year.  The  laymen  thus  chosen  shall 
have  all  the  privileges  and  rights  of  ministers  in 
the  annual  conference,  except  the  right  to  vote 
upon  the  reception  or  expulsion  of  preachers,  and 
the  passing  of  preachers  in  the  course  of  reading. 
Devotions. 

2.  A  portion  of  scripture  shall  be  read  at  the 
opening  of  the  session  ;  also,  there  shall  be  singing 
and  praj^er  each  day,  at  the  opening  and  closing  of 
conference. 

Secj'etaries. 

3.  The  conference  shall  eledl  one  or  more  secre- 
taries, as  the  case  may  require,  who,  in  addition  to 
discharging  the  regular  duties  of  secretary,  shall, 
immediately  on   the  adjournment  of  the  annual 


DISCIPLINE,  43 

conference,  transmit  to  the  publishing  agent  at 
Dayton,  Ohio,  a  true  transcript  of  the  footings  of 
the  conference  chart. 

Bishop  Pro   Tern. 

4.  If  no  bishop  should  be  present,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  annual  conference  to  eledl  a  bishop 
pro  ieni.,  whose  official  a<5ls  shall  be  valid. 

Ex-a  m  inations. 

5.  All  preachers  shall  report  in  person  or  by 
letter,  and  be  examined  respedling  their  deport- 
ment toward  their  fellow-beings,  whether  their 
condudl  in  life  be  blameless,  and  whether  they 
employ  as  much  time  as  practicable  to  promote 
the  kingdom  of  God,  (according  to  Titus,  ist  chap- 
ter, 7th  to  9th  verse,  and  II.  Tim.,  2d  chapter,  15th 
verse,)  and  if  found  delinquent  they  shall  be  ad- 
monished or  advised,  as  the  case  may  require.  But 
should  all  admonition  or  advice  fail,  then  the  name 
of  the  delinquent  person  shall  be  erased  from  the 
roll  of  the  conference. 

Absentees. 

6.  Should  any  member  of  the  annual  conference 
absent  himself  from  the  session  of  conference  three 
years  in  succession,  without  giving  a  satisfacflory 
reason  for  so  doing,  his  name  may  be  erased  from 
the  roll  of  the  conference. 

EleLlioneeriiig  Forbidden. 

7.  No  preacher  shall  be  permitted  to  eledlioneer 
favorably  to  his  own  elecflion  to  any  office  or  dele- 
gation in  the  Church  ;  and  should  anyone  be  found 


44  DISCIPLINE. 

doing  so,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  next  an- 
nual conference  of  which  he  is  a  member,  to  be 
dealt  with  according  to  the  judgment  of  said  con- 
ference. 

Authority  of  the  Annual  Co7iference. 

8.  An  annual  conference  maj'^  adopt  rules  for  its 
own  government,  not  in  conflidl  with  the  Disci- 
pline of  the  Church. 

Questions. 

9,  The  following  questions  shall  also  be  asked 
by  the  presiding  officer: 

1.  Have  any  of  the  preachers  died  during  the 
last  year  ? 

2.  Who  are  candidates  for  the  ministry  ? 

3.  Are  any  to  be  ordained  to  the  office  of  elder? 

4.  What  has  been  collecfled  for  contingent  ex- 
penses and  the  salary  of  traveling  preachers  ? 

5.  What  has  been  done  for  missions? 

6.  What  has  been  done  for  Sabbath-schools  ? 

7.  Has  reckoning  been  mad©  with  the  traveling 
preachers  ? 

8.  Who  are  the  presiding  elders? 

9.  Where  are  the  preachers  stationed  this  year  ? 
ID.     Where  shall  our  next  conference  be  held? 

11.  Is  there  anything  else  to  be  done  ? 

12.  Is  all  that  has  been  done  entered  upon 
record  ? 

Section  VII. 

GENERAL   CONFERENCE. 

Members. 
(See  Constitution.) 


DISCIPLINE.  45 

Conference  Representation, 
The  annual  conferences  shall  be  represented  in 
the  General  Conference  according  to  the  following 
ratios  : 

Not  less  than  three  nor  more  than  six  from  each 
annual  conference  distridl.  All  conferences  hav- 
ing less  than  three  thousand  members  shall  be 
entitled  to  two  elders  and  one  layman.  All  confer- 
ences having  three  thousand  and  under  six  thou- 
sand five  hundred  members,  shall  be  entitled  to 
three  elders  and  one  layman.  All  conferences 
having  six  thousand  five  hundred  members  and 
over  that  number,  shall  be  entitled  to  four  elders 
and  two  laymen. 

Bishops^  Announcevient. 
The  Board  of  Bishops  shall  as  early  as  possible 
announce  the  number  of  delegates  to  which  each 
conterence  shall  be  entitled,  as  appears  from  the 
statistics  of  the  annual  conferences  at  the  end  of 
the  third  year  of  the  term. 

Ele5lton  of  Delegates. 

I.  It  shall  be  the  duty  ot  each  annual  confer- 
ence to  appoint  a  committee  of  three,  and  three 
aliernates-.  ic  leceive  and  publicly  count  the  votes, 
and  issue  certificates  oi  eiecflion  to  those  receiving 
the  highest  numbei  ot  votes,  also  to  furnish  each 
preacher  in  charge  with  a  list  of  the  names  of  all 
the  eligible  elders  and  of  all  the  eligible  laymen 
nominated.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  lay  repre- 
sentatives in  each  annual  conference  during  the 


46  DISCIPLINE. 

annual  session  next  preceding  the  eledlion,  to 
nominate  by  ballot  three  times  the  number  of  lay- 
men to  be  elecSled.  This  shall  not  be  construed  as 
depriving  any  member  of  the  right  to  vote  for 
other  laymen  eligible,  if  desirous  of  doing  so. 

2.  The  leaders  and  stewards  of  each  class  shall 
constitute  a  board  of  elecftion,  who  shall  be  fur- 
nished a  copy  of  the  above-named  list,  by  the 
preacher  in  charge,  at  least  ten  months  before  the 
sitting  of  the  General  Conference  ;  and  the  eledlion 
shall  be  held  invariably  in  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber next  preceding  the  sitting  of  said  conference. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  board  of  ele(5lion 
to  appoint  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  their  re- 
spedlive  classes  or  churches,  as  the  case  may  be, 
for  the  purpose  of  eledling,  by  ballot,  their  dele, 
gates  to  represent  them  in  General  Conference. 

Absent   Voters. 

4.  Should  any  member  be  incapacitated  by  age 
or  afflidlion  to  attend  such  meetings,  and  should 
any  minister  be  absent  on  his  charge,  they  may 
send  their  ballots  containing  the  names  of  their 
choice,  with  their  own  names  signed  on  the  back 
of  their  ballots;  provided,  no  votes  shall  be  counted 
except  those  cast  on  the  day  appointed  for  said 
meeting. 

Election  Returns. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  board  of  ele(5tion 
invariably  to  sign,  inclose,  and  seal  each  bill  of 
eledlion,  and  keep  a  correcSt  copy  of  the  same,  also 
a  list  of  the  names  of  all  members  voting,  and  im- 


DISCIPLINE.  47 

jiediately  transmit  a  copy  of  such  bill,  stating  what 
class,  circuit,  mission,  or  station,  to  the  committee 
ippointed  by  the  annual  conference. 

Publication  of  Elections. 

6.  Said  committee  shall  make  out  a  list  of  all 
the  persons  voted  for,  and  of  the  number  of  votes 
for  each;  and  should  any  two  or  more  of  the  can- 
didates have  an  equal  number  of  votes,  the  com- 
mittee shall  determine,  by  lot,  which  of  them  is 
eledled.  They  shall  also  forward  by  the  first  of 
February'  the  names  of  those  elected  to  the  confer- 
ence Printing  Establishment  for  publication.  They 
shall  also  transmit  to  the  publishing  agent  at  Day- 
ton, Ohio,  a  complete  list  of  all  persons  voted  for, 
and  the  number  of  votes  cast  for  each,  which 
record  shall  be  furnished  the  ensuing  General 
Conference,  and  if  one  or  more  of  those  eleAed 
should  be  prevented  by  death,  sickness,  or  other- 
wise from  attending,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
tellers  or  the  secretary  of  the  General  Conference 
to  notify  the  next  highest  on  the  bill  to  take  his 
place,  and  so  descend,  if  need  be,  to  the  last  can- 
didate. No  bills  of  election  received  by  the  tellers 
after  the  first  of  January  shall  be  counted. 

Bills  of  Ele^ion. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  presiding  elder 
to  furnish  each  preacher  in  charge  on  his  distri(5l 
with  blank  bills  of  ele<5lion,  which  shall  be  distrib- 
uted by  the  preachers  to  their  respedlive  boards 
of  eledlion. 


48  DISCIPLINE. 

Delegates*  Expenses. 

The  annual  conference  next  preceding  the  elec- 
Lion  of  delegates  to  the  General  Conference  shall 
ascertain  the  amount  of  money  that  will  be  neces- 
sary to  defray  the  expenses  of  its  delegates  to  Gen- 
eral Conference,  and  apportion  the  same  among  its 
different  fields  of  labor  ;  and  the  preacher  in  charge 
shall  colle(5l  and  forward  such  amount  to  the  pre 
siding  elder  of  his  distri(5t,  who  shall  transmit 
the  amount  to  the  tellers  by  the  first  of  February 
preceding  the  General  Conference.  Should  any 
preacher  neglecfl  his  duty,  he  shall  be  accountable 
therefor  to  the  next  annual  conference. 

Examination  of  Aniiual  Conferences. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General  Conference  to 
examine  the  administration  of  each  annual  confer- 
ence, whether  it  has  stridlly  observed  the  rules, 
and  preserved  the  moral  and  doctrinal  principles 
of  the  Discipline  in  all  its  transadlions. 
EleBion  of  Officers. 

In  the  eledlion  of  all  officers  of  the  General  Con- 
ference, a  majority  of  all  the  votes  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  a  choice. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MINISTRY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Section  I. 

EXHORTERS. 

How  Licensed. 
Any  person  wishing  to  obtain  license  to  exhort 
must  obtain  from  the  class  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 


DISCIPLINE.  49 

ber,  by  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the  members,  a 
recommendation  in  writing,  signed  by  the  leader, 
or  preacher  in  charge,  to  the  quarterly  conference 
of  the  circuit,  station,  or  mission  to  which  he  be- 
longs, which  may  license  him,  subje<5l  to  an  exam- 
ination on  questions  for  applicants  for  quarterly- 
conference  license  to  preach. 

Exhorters^  Duties. 
Exhorters  shall  make  appointments  wherever 
acceptable  to  the  people;  read  portions  of  sacred 
scripture,  exhorting  therefrom;  exhorting  saints, 
that  they  with  purpose  of  heart  should  cleave  to 
the  lyord,  and  sinners  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come ;  and  this  they  shall  do  as  often  as  pra(5licable. 

Renewal  of  License. 
The  license  of  an  exhorter  is  subject  to  renewal 
annually,  at  the  discretion  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence. 

Section  II. 

QUARTEELY-CONPEKENCE  PREACHERS. 

How  Licensed. 
Any  person  wishing  to  obtain  license  to  preach, 
must  obtain  from  the  class  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, by  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the  members,  a 
recommendation  in  writing,  signed  by  the  leader 
or  preacher,  to  the  quarterly  conference  of  the 
circuit,  station,  or  mission  to  which  he  belongs; 
provided.,  that  the  person  making  application  shall 
be  examined  by  the  quarterly  conference,  and  the 
following  questions  asked  by  the  chairman. 


50  DISCIPLINE. 

Examination  of  Applicants. 

1.  Do  you  believe  our  confession  of  faith  as  set 
forth  in  our  book  of  Discipline? 

2.  Have  you  now  peace  with  God  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  ? 

3.  What  is  your  motive  in  desiring  permission 
to  preach  the  gospel  ? 

4.  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  church-govern- 
ment ? 

5.  Will  you  submit  yourself  to  the  counsel  of 
your  brethren  ? 

6.  What  is  your  knowledge  of  depravity,  of  re- 
demption, of  faith,  of  repentance,  of  justification, 
and  of  sandlification  ? 

7.  Will  you  abstain  from  the  use  of  tobacco  ? 
It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  chairman  to  ask 

any  other  question  or  questions  that  he  may  deem 
necessary. 

A  man  divorced  from  his  wife,  except  on  scrip- 
tural and  legal  grounds,  shall  not  be  granted  li- 
cense. 

Cou7'se  of  Reading. 

Quarterly-conference  licensed  preachers  are  re- 
quired to  pursue  the  course  of  reading  prescribed 
in  our  book  of  Discipline,  and  to  be  examined 
annually  by  the  presiding  elder  and  preacher  in 
charge  at  the  fourth  quarterly  meeting. 
Renewal  of  Licence. 

The  license  of  a  quarterly,  conference  preacher 
who  is  not  otherwise  exempted  by  reason  of  pass- 
ing the  prescribed  course  of  study,  is  subie(5l  to 


I 


DISCIPLINE.  51 

renewal  annually,  at  the  discretion  of  the  quarterly 
conference. 

Reconiviendation  to  Animal  Confe^'ence. 

After  such  licentiate  preachers  have  stood  in  that 
capacity  one  or  more  3'ears,  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence may  recommend  them  to  the  annual  confer- 
ence. 

All  preachers  recommended  to  the  annual  con- 
ference, and  not  received,  shall  sustain  their  formei 
relation. 

Section  III. 

ANNUALi-CONFERENCE  PREACHEKS. 

How  Received. 
Every  person   proposed  as  a  preacher  shall  be 
examined  by   the   annual   conference  or  a  seledl 
committee   thereof;    and   the  following   questions 
shall  be  asked  him: 

Preacher^s  Examination. 

1.  "  Have  you  known  God  in  Christ  Jesus  to  be  a 
sin-pardoning  God  ? 

2.  Have  you  now  peace  with  God;  and  is  the 
love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  your  heart  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  ? 

3.  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of 
God,  and  that  therein  is  contained  the  only  true 
way  to  our  salvation  ? 

4.  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  belief? 

5.  Do  you  follow  after  holiness? 

6.  What  is  your  motive  for  desiring  permission 
to  preach  the  gospel? 


52  DISCIPLINE. 

7.  Do  you  believe  that  man,  apart  from  the 
grace  of  our  I,ord  Jesus  Christ,  is  fallen  from  orig- 
inal righteousness,  and  is  not  only  entirely  desti- 
tute of  holiness,  but  is  inclined  to  evil,  and  only 
evil,  and  that  continually;  and  that  except  a  man 
be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  ? 

8.  What  is  your  knowledge  of  redemption,  of 
faith,  of  repentance,  justification,  and  sancftifica- 
tion? 

9.  Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the  salvation 
of  your  fellow-mortals,  lie  nearer  to  your  heart 
than  all  other  things  in  the  world? 

10.  Will  you  subje(5l  yourself  to  the  counsel  of 
your  brethren  in  the  Lord  ? 

11.  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  church-govern- 
ment? 

12.  Are  you  willing,  as  much  as  is  in  your 
power,  to  assist  in  upholding  our  itinerant  plan? 

13.  Will  you  abstain  from  the  use  of  tobacco  ? 

Licensing  Women. 
Not  wishing  to  hinder  any  Christian,  who  may 
be  moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  labor  in  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  it  is 
ordered  that  whenever  any  godly  woman  presents 
herself  before  the  quarterly  or  annual  conference 
as  an  applicant  for  authority  to  preach  the  gospel 
among  us,  she  may  be  granted  license,  provided 
she  complies  with  the  usual  conditions  required  of 
men  who  wish  to  enter  the  ministry  of  our  church. 
When  such  person  shall  have  passed  the  required 


DISCIPLINE.  53 

examination  before  the  regular  committees,  she 
may,  after  the  usual  probation,  be  ordained. 

Otialifications  of  Applicants. 

None  can  be  admitted  without  having  a  recom- 
mendation from  the  quarterly  conference,  and  then 
only  to  be  received  on  probation  ;  but  if  the  con- 
ference should,  on  examination,  find  that  the  can- 
didate's abilities  are  insufficient  to  preach  the 
gospel,  it  may  refer  him  back  to  the  quarterly  con- 
ference for  further  instruclion. 

A  man  divorced  from  his  wife,  except  on  script- 
ural and  legal  grounds,  shall  not  be  granted  license. 
An  Expelled  Preacher. 

When  a  preacher  or  elder  has  been  expelled  or 
formally  withdraws  from  one  annual  conference, 
he  shall  not  be  received  into  another  without  the 
consent  of  the  conference  with  which  he  was  for- 
merly connedled. 

Preacher'' s  Transfer. 

I,  A  preacher  or  elder  wbo  shall  labor  in  the 
bounds  of  an  annual  conference,  other  than  the 
one  to  which  he  belongs,  for  two  years,  shall  be 
required  to  obtain  a  transfer  from  the  conference 
to  which  he  belongs  and  to  unite  with  the  confer- 
ence m  whose  bounds  he  labors,  or  to  return  to  his 
own  conference  for  work ;  provided,  that  presi- 
dents and  professors  of  schools  and  colleges,  and 
others  engaged  in  general  church-work,  shall  be 
exempt  from  this  requirement. 

2.     A  preacher  removing  from  one  conference  to 


54  DISCIPLINE. 

another  shall,  when  he  applies  to  the  latter  for  ad- 
mission, produce  a  transfer  from  the  conference  to 
which  he  formerly  belonged,  signed  by  the  presid- 
ing officer,  or  published  in  the  minutes  of  the  con- 
ference from  which  he  has  been  transferred. 
Liviit  of  Transfer. 

A  preacher  or  elder  who  receives  a  transfer  is 
required  to  present  said  transfer  to  another  confer- 
ence, or  to  return  it  to  the  conference  by  which  it 
was  issued  within  two  years  after  its  date.  Other- 
wise the  transfer  shall  be  null  and  void,  and  the 
name  of  the  preacher  shall  be  published  as  no 
longer  connedled  with  our  church  as  a  minister. 
Accountabilily  of  Transferred  Preachers. 

A  preacher  or  elder  receiving  a  transfer  shall  be 
a  member  of  the  quarterly  conference  in  whose 
bounds  he  may  reside,  and  also  be  accountable  for 
his  moral  and  official  condu(5l  to  the  annual  confer- 
ence granting  said  transfer,  until  his  transfer  be 
received  by  the  conference  to  which  he  has  been 
transferred. 

Section  IV. 

KECEPTION  OF  PREACHERS  FROM  OTHER 
CHURCHES. 

When  preachers  from  other  churches  come  to  us 
with  certificates  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in 
which  they  have  held  membership;  or  with  trans- 
fers from  a  conference,  presbytery,  or  synod,  and 
give  satisfadlion  to  the  annual  conference  concern- 
ing their  agreement  on  the  docflrine,  discipline, 
government,  and  usages  of  our  church,  the  con- 


DISCIPLINE.  55 

ference  may  receive  tbera.      If  they  be  ordained 
elders  they  must  pass  the  examination   required 
of  candidates  for  elders'  orders,  but  they  may  be 
exempt  from  the  laying  on  of  hands. 
Section  V. 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  THE  MINISTRY. 

The  ministry  of  the  Church  shall  be  classified 
after  the  following-  order:  Itinerants,  superannu- 
ated, supernumerary,  and  local. 

Itineyants. 
To  this  class  shall  belong  all  annual-conference 
ministers;     provided,    however,    that     they    have 
passed  the  probation  of  three  years  in  the  annual 
conference,  and  have  been,  during  this  time,  and 
are  still  engaged  in  the  regular  work  of  the  Church. 
Superannuated. 
To  this  class  shall  belong  such  itinerants  as  are 
from  age  or  phj-sical  infirmities  unable  to  pursue 
the  regular  work  of  the  ministry. 
5"  upernuviera  ry. 
To  this  class  shall  belong  such  as  have  been  ad- 
mitted to  the  itineracy  and  are  willing  to  work, 
but  for  whom  the  conferences  and  Church,  for  the 
time  being,  are  not  able  to  find  work,  or  who,  by 
their  own  request,  have  been  voted  to  such  rela- 
tion. 

I^ocal. 

To  this  class  shall  belong  tucli  annual-confer- 
ence preachers  as  are  not  admit^d  to  the  itin- 
eracy 


56  DISCIPLINE. 

Class — How  Determined. 
The  annual  conference  shall  determine  to  which 
of  the  foregoing  classes  each  minister  shall  belong. 
Should  an  itinerant  leave  in  an  irregular  wslj  the 
work  assigned  him,  he  shall  forfeit  his  standing  as 
an  itincant. 

Evangelists. 

Persons  engaged  in  evangelistic  work  shall  not 
be  encouraged  by  our  ministers  if  such  evangelists 
do  not  hold  membership  in  quarterly  or  annual 
conference. 

Section  VI. 

ELDERS. 

Elders^  Probation. 

After  a  probation  of  three  years,  a  preacher  may 
be  presented  to  the  annual  conference  for  elders' 
orders;  whereupon  the  bishop  shall  propose  to  the 
conference  the  following  questions: 

Questions  Regarding  a  Candidate. 

1.  Is  he  blameless  touching  the  marriage  state  ? 

2.  Is  his  deportment  in  the  social  circle  marked 
with  watchful  sobriety  ? 

3.  Is  he  hospitable  toward  the  affli(5led  and 
needy  ? 

4.  Is  he  faithful  in  the  public  ministration  of 
God's  word,  and  diligent  in  reading  and  study  ? 

5.  Is  his  household  subje(5l  to  rules  of  piety? 
Should  the  above  questions  be  answered  in  the 

aflSrmative,   a  pommittee    of  three  or   five  elders 
shall   be  appointed,  before  whom   the  candidate 


DISCIPLINE.  57 

shall  appear,  and   answer  to  the  following  ques- 
tions; namely, 

Committee  Examination. 

1.  Upon  what  foundation  do  you  believe  the 
Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God  ? 

2.  How  do  you  prove  the  fall  of  man  by  trans- 
gression ? 

3.  How  do  you  prove  the  redemption  of  man 
by  Jesus  Christ? 

4.  Do  you  believe  in  the  godhead  of  Jesus 
Christ  ? 

5.  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  a  belief? 

6.  Do  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost  as  pre- 
sented in  our  confession -of  faith? 

7.  Upon  what  evidence  do  you  believe  this? 

8.  Do  you  believe  in  future  everlasting  punish- 
ment? 

Duties  of  the  Committee. 

It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  committee,  in  the 
close,  to  propose  any  question  touching  the  an- 
swers given,  wherein  their  understanding  may  not 
have  been  distincft.  It  shall  also  be  their  duty  to 
make  out,  sign,  and  deliver  to  conference  a  report 
of  each  case  which  may  have  been  before  them. 

Ele£lion  to  Elders^  Orders. 

If  the  committee  and  conference  find  the  can- 
didate worthy,  by  a  majority  of  the  votes  of  the 
elders  of  conference  he  may  be  ele(5led  to  ordina- 
tion. 


58  DISCIPLINE. 

Limit  of  Probation. 

When  circumstances  demand  it,  a  licentiate  may 
be  presented  to  conference  for  ordination  at  any 
time  prior  to  a  probation  of  three  years,  provided 
two  thirds  of  the  elders  present  vote  for  the  same. 

Duties  of  Elders. 

It  is  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  preach  the  gospel,  to 
baptize,  to  administer  the  lyord's  Supper,  to  solem- 
nize marriages,  to  perform  all  parts  of  divine  serv- 
ice, to  be  an  example  to  the  flock  of  Christ  by 
imitating  His  moral  example;  and  in  a  very  special 
manner  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  cherish 
and  encourage  young  ministers,  and  always  to  be 
looking  for  those  whom  God  has  called  to  preach, 
and  advise  them  to  take  up  the  cross,  and  begin 
the  work  without  delay,  that  the  labor  of  the  gos- 
pel harvest  may  be  faithfully  performed. 

Section  VII. 

PKESIDING  ELDEKS. 

EleHion  of  Presiding  Elders. 

Presiding  elders  shall  be  ele<5led  by  annual  con- 
ference by  ballot.  A  majority  of  the  whole  num- 
ber of  votes  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice. 

Support  of  Presiding  Elders. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  annual  conference  to 
make  such  regulations  for  the  support  of  the  pre- 
siding elders  as  they  in  their  wisdom  may  think 
best  calculated  to  accomplish  the  desired  end. 


nsciPLixXE,  59 

Stationiyig  Presiding  Elders, 

Presiding  elders  shall  be  stationed  by  the  bishop 
and  two  elders  or  preachers  from  each  presiding- 
elder  districfl. 

Duties  of  Presiding  Elders. 

1.  The  duties  of  a  presiding  elder  are  to  travel 
through  the  distridl  appointed  him,  and  to  preach 
as  often  as  practicable . 

2.  He  shall  appoint  the  quarterly  and  camp 
meetings,  and  attend  them.  He  shall  hold  quar- 
terly conferences,  and  administer  the  ordinances 
of  God's  house.  He  shall  inquire  whether  the 
preachers  do  their  duty,  and  exhort  them  to  main- 
tain discipline  and  order,  love  and  seriousness  in 
the  Church.  He  may  also  call  extra  sessions  by 
the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence members. 

3.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  make  strict  inquiry 
whether  each  itinerant  minister  has  received  the 
amount  of  sakiry  due  him,  and  in  case  of  a  de- 
ficiency, to  make  an  earnest  effort  to  secure  the 
balance  due. 

4.  Each  presiding  elder  shall  make  a  report  in 
writing,  of  his  distri(5l,  annually,  to  the  annual 
conference. 

Power  to  Exchange  Preachers. 

The  presiding  elder  may,  in  conjundlion  with 
two  elders,  preachers,  exhorters,  or  leaders  (one 
from  each  circuit),  change  the  preachers  in  his 
distridl. 


6o  DISCIPLINE. 

Vacancy  Filled  by  Appointment, 
Should  any  distridl,  through  death,  resignation, 
or  otherwise,  be  without  a  presiding  elder,  infor- 
mation shall  be  immediately  given  to  the  bishop, 
who  shall  appoint  an  elder  to  preside  in  said  dis- 
trict until  the  ensuing  annual  conference. 

Section  VIII. 

BISHOPS. 

Election  of  Bishops. 

The  General  Conference  shall  ele(5l  bishops  for 
the  term  of  four  years,  by  a  majority  of  the  whole 
number  of  votes,  to  be,  at  the  option  of  confer- 
ence, re-eledled.  The  bishops  must  be  capable  of 
attending  the  conferences  assigned  them;  other- 
wise they  cannot  be  eledled;  p?-ovided,  hozcever, 
that  the  General  Conference  may  eledl  a  bishop 
emeritus  when  it  deems  it  proper  to  do  so;  pro- 
vided fur  the  7'^  such  bishop  has  served  the  Church 
in  the  episcopal  oflSce  forty  years  consecutively. 
Statio7iing  of  Bishops. 

Bishops  shall  be  assigned  their  districts  by  the 
General  Conference;  and  in  the  fields  thus  assigned 
them  they  shall  devote  their  whole  time.  They 
shall  be  required  to  reside  within  the  bounds  of 
the  distri(5l  assigned  them,  if  pradlicable;  pro- 
7'ided,  however,  that  they  shall  have  the  privilege 
of  making  such  temporary  interchanges  as  the 
welfare  of  their  distri<fls  may  demand. 

The  four  bishops  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 
shall  arrange  the  times  of  holding  the  several  con- 


DISCIPLINE.  6l 

feretjces,   and  attend  them   in   rotation   as  far  as 
possible. 

Salaries  of  Bishops. 

The  General  Conference  shall  fix  the  salaries  of 
the  bishops  and  specify  the  amounts  to  be  raised 
for  their  moving  and  traveling  expenses  and  house 
rent.  Apportionments  to  meet  these  salaries  and 
expenses  shall  be  made  to  the  Church  by  the 
bishops.  Apportionments  thus  made  to  annual 
conferences  and  mission  districts  shall  be  assessed 
by  the  various  fields  of  labor  according  to  the  abil- 
ity of  each. 

DUTIES   OF   BISHOPS. 

Presidi7ig  at  Conferences. 

1.  It  is  the  duty  of  bishops  to  preside  over  the 
annual  and  general  conferences,  and  stricftly  ex- 
amine into  the  moral  and  official  charadler  of  the 
members  of  the  annual  conferences  in  the  bounds 
of  their  districts,  and  insist  upon  it  that  all  the 
laws  of  the  Church  are  faithfully  executed. 

Stationifig  the  Preachers. 

2.  In  conjun(5lion  with  the  presiding  elders  of 
the  past  and  present  year  they  may  fix  the  appoint- 
ments of  the  traveling  preachers  for  the  several 
circuits,  stations,  and  missions;  provided,  however, 
that  where  there  is  but  one  presiding  elder  on  the 
committee,  the  conference  may  eledl  to  the  same 
another  elder  from  the  elders  not  asking  for  work 
from  said  committee. 


62  DISCIPLINE. 

Stationing  the  Presiding  Elders. 

3.  The  bishop,  in  conjiitiAion  with  two  elders, 
e^e<5led  by  ballot,  from  each  presiding-elder  dis- 
trict, shall  appoint  the  presiding  elders  to  their 
respedlive  districts. 

Ordinatiofi  oj  Preachers. 

4.  It  shall  be  their  duty  to  perform  the  rite  of 
ordination  at  the  annual  conferences,  and  at  such 
other  times  and  places  as  circumstances  may  re- 
quire, but  only  upon  such  persons  as  have  passed 
the  usual  examination  required  of  candidates  for 
ordination,  by  a  committee  of  three  elders  chosen 
for  that  purpose  by  one  of  the  bishops. 

Annual  Meeting. 

5.  The  bishops  shall  hold  annual  meetings,  in 
which  they  shall  determine  the  time  of  holding 
the  annual  conferences,  determine  the  order  of  tlie 
holding  of  the  conferences,  and  who  shall  attend 
each  conference  ;  decide  questions  of  discipline 
adopt  measures  to  secure  uniformity  in  their  ad- 
ministration, and,  when  circumstances  demand  H, 
appoint  fast  and  thanksgiving  seasous,  and  comisei 
upon  the  general  interests  of  the  Church. 

Organizing  Mission-  Conferences. 

6.  In  conjundlion  with  the  Board  of  Missions,  a 
bishop  shall  have  power  to  organize  mission-con- 
ferences. 

Missio7iary  ColJedion. 

7.  The  bishops  shall  take  a  missionary  collec- 


DISCIPLINE.  63 

tion  and  subscription  during  the  session  of  eacL 
conference. 

In  Mission-Fields. 

8.  The  bishops  shall  devote  as  much  of  their 
time  as  possible,  consistent  with  other  duties,  to 
visiting  our  missions,  exploring  new  fields,  and 
working  upon  the  general  financial  and  educa- 
tional interests  of  the  Church. 

Reports. 

9.  The  bishops  shall  publish  annually,  in  the 
columns  of  the  Religions  Telescope  and  Froehliche 
Botscha/ler,  reports  of  their  respe(5live  distri(5ls, 
and  also  the  amount  of  salary  received  from  the 
several  annual  conferences  in  their  charge. 

Vacant  Districts. 

10.  Should  any  distridl  become  destitute  of  a 
bishop  by  death  or  otherwise,  the  senior  of  the 
remaining  bishops,  on  due  notice  of  said  fadl, 
shall  call  together  at  some  central  point  in  the 
vacated  districfl  the  delegates  of  the  preceding 
General  Conference  fiom  said  bishop's  distri(5l, 
who  shall  eie(5l  a  bishop  to  fill  the  vacancy.  The 
expenses  of  said  delegates  shall  be  provided  for  by 
the  conferences  to  which  they  belong. 

Annual  Sermon. 

11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  bishops  to  see 
that  a  suitable  sermon  be  delivered  to  the  preach- 
ers present  at  each  annual  conference. 

Conference  Superintendency. 

12.  The  bishop  last  presiding  at  an  annual  con- 


64  DISCIPLINE. 

ference  shall  be  regarded  as  the  superintendent  of 
that  conference  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Delinquency. 

13.  When  a  bishop  fails  to  perform  his  dut}", 
unless  through  unavoidable  circumstances,  he  can- 
not be  sufiered  to  retain  his  office. 

Section   IX. 

TRIAL  OF  PKEACHERS. 

Quarterly  Conference  Preachers. 

The  quarterly  conference  shall  receive  and  try 
all  appeals,  references,  and  complaints  that  may 
come  regularly  before  it ;  but  no  member  of  quar- 
terly conference  can  be  suspended  or  expelled 
from  the  Church  prior  to  a  committee  trial.  When 
a  quarterly  conference  preacher  or  exhorter  is  ac- 
cused of  any  misdemeanor,  the  leader  or  steward 
shall  prosecute  the  case  and  shall  inquire  into  the 
nature  of  the  complaints,  and  if  there  be  grounds 
for  charges  he  shall  present  to  the  accused  a  copy 
of  the  charges  and  notify  him  to  choose  a  com- 
mittee-man, and  the  prosecutor  shall  choose  a 
second  committee-man;  these  two  a  third;  and 
this  committee  shall  try  the  case,  the  preacher  in 
charge  being  chairman. 

If  the  accused  refuse,  or  neglect,  or  fail,  or  is 
unable  to  choose  a  committee-man  after  being 
properly  notified,  the  quarterly  conference  shall 
choose  a  first  and  second  person,  and  these  two  a 
third,  and  this  committee  shall  hear  the  case  and 


DISCIPLINE.  0,5 

decide.  If  the  accused  is  found  guilty,  he  shall  be 
silenced;  provided,  however,  either  party  shall 
have  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  next  quarterly 
conference  for  a  new  trial. 

Annual- Conference  Preachers. 
When  a  preacher,  elder,  or  bishop  is  reported 
guilty  of  immorality,  trespass,  imprudent  condu<5l, 
or  disobedience  to  the  order  and  Discipline  of  the 
Church,  the  preacher  to  whom  it  is  known  shall 
take  with  him  another  preacher,  exhorter,  or 
leader,  and  examine  into  the  charge;  but  as  the 
apostle  saith  (I.  Tim.  5:  19),  "Against  an  elder  re- 
ceive not  an  accusation,  but  before  two  or  three 
witnesses."  If  it  should  appear  that  said  reports 
are  well  founded,  they  shall  be  required  to  prefer 
charges  against  the  accused;  if  not,  they  shall  re- 
port to  the  next  quarterly  conference  of  which  the 
accused  is  a  member  that  they  found  no  cause  of 
acflion.  If  charges  are  preferred  and  no  one  be 
found  willing  to  prosecute  the  case,  then  the  said 
quarterl)'  conference  shall  appoint  a  prosecutor, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify  the  accused,  in 
writing,  of  all  the  charges  preferred  against  him. 
He  shall  also  notify  him  to  choose  an  elder  as  his 
committee-man,  the  prosecutor  choosing  an  elder 
also  as  committee-man,  in  behalf  of  the  Church,  and 
they  two  a  third  elder  or  preacher,  before  which 
committee  the  case  shall  be  tried.  The  prosecutor 
shall  also  notify  the  presiding  elder  of  the  districfl 
within  whose  bounds  said  cause  of  accusation  oc- 
curred; and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding 


66  DISCIPLINE. 

elder  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of  trial,  giving 
not  less  than  twenty  nor  more  than  forty  days'  no- 
tice, to  the  parties  concerned,  of  said  trial;  and  he 
shall  also  adl  as  chairman  in  the  case.  Should  a 
majority  of  the  committee  be  satisfied  that  the  ac- 
cusation is  sustained,  they  shall  require  him  to 
hold  his  peace  until  the  annual  conference,  where 
he  shall  be  accountable,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  committee  to  transmit  in  writing  the  entire  pro- 
ceedings of  said  trial  to  the  annual  conference, 
where  the  accused  shall  have  a  hearing  before  the 
conference  or  a  sele(5l  committee  thereof;  and  if 
the  findings  are  sustained,  he  shall  be  suspended, 
expelled,  or  retained,  as  the  conference  may  deter- 
mine. But  should  the  accused,  after  having  been 
duly  notified,  refuse  or  neglecl  to  comply  in  choos- 
ing his  committee-man  and  notifying  the  prose- 
ecutor  within  fifteen  days,  the  presiding  elder 
shall  suspend  him  until  the  annual  conference, 
where,  if  he  shall  refuse  to  appear,  he  shall  be 
dealt  with  according  to  the  judgment  of  the  con- 
ference; provided,  however,  if  he  be  an  elder,  eld- 
ers only  shall  vote  in  the  case;  and,  provided 
further,  that  if  the  committee-men  chosen  by  the 
prosecutor  and  accused  fail  to  agree  as  to  the  third 
member  of  the  committee,  then  the  quarterly  con- 
ference shall  appoint  said  committee-man.  If  the 
accused  or  prosecutor  be  a  presiding  elder  or  a 
bishop,  the  presiding  elder  or  bishop,  as  the  case 
may  be,  next  adjoining,  shall  adl  as  chairman  on 
the  trial;    provided,    that  in   conferences  having 


DISCIPLINE.  67 

only  one  presiding-  elder,  the  bishop  shall  appoint 
a  chairman  to  adl  in  the  case. 

The  foregoing  relates  only  to  annual-conference 
members. 

Section  X. 

TKANSFEE.  OF  PREACHERS. 

A  preacher  desiring  to  remove  his  membership 
from  one  conference  to  another  shall,  when  he 
applies  for  admission  into  the  conference  to  which 
he  goes,  produce  a  transfer  from  the  conference  to 
which  he  formerly  belonged,  signed  by  the  presid- 
ing officer,  or  published  in  the  minutes  of  the  con- 
ference from  which  he  has  been  transferred. 

Liviit  of  Transfer. 

A  preacher  or  elder  who  receives  a  transfer  is 
required  to  present  said  transfer  to  another  confer- 
ence, or  return  it  to  the  conference  by  which  it 
was  issued,  within  two  years  after  its  date.  Other- 
wise the  transfer  shall  be  null  and  void,  and  the 
name  of  the  preacher  shall  be  published  as  no 
longer  connedled  with  the  Church  as  a  minister. 

Transferred  Preachers — Where  Accountable. 

A  preacher  or  elder  receiving  a  transfer  shall  be 
a  member  of  the  quarterly  conference  in  whose 
bounds  he  may  reside,  and  also  be  accountable  for 
his  moral  and  official  condu(5l  to  the  annual  confer- 
ence granting  said  transfer  until  his  transfer  be 
received  by  the  conference  to  which  he  has  been 
transferred. 


58  DISCIPLINE. 

Section  XI. 

MAHRIAGE-WHO    MAY  SOLEMNIZE. 

All  ordained  ministers,  and  those  that  have  ob- 
tained license  from  an  annual  conference,  where 
the  law  of  the  State  makes  it  the  privilege  of  every 
regularlj'  licensed  minister  to  solemnize  marriage, 
are  authorized  to  solemnize  marriage;  but  none 
having  quarterly-conference  license  are  permitted 
to  solemnize  marriage. 

Section   XII. 

PREACHERS'   DUTIES  IN   GENERAL. 

The  duties  of  preachers  are  to  preach  Christ 
crucified;  to  form  classes,  and  report  the  same  to 
the  annual  conferences;  converse  with  the  mem- 
bers on  the  spiritual  condition  of  their  souls;  ad- 
minister relief;  strengthen  and  dire<5l  those  that 
are  afiii(5led  and  labor  under  temptations  ;  animate 
the  indolent ;  endeavor  as  much  as  possible  to 
edify  and  instrudt  all  in  faith,  in  grace,  and  in  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ ;  visit  the  sick  on  all 
occasions  ;  strive  to  enforce  and  confirm  the  doc- 
trine they  deliver  by  a  well-ordered  and  exem- 
plary life. 

DireSlions  to  Preachers, 

I,et  preachers  heed  the  following  directions  : 
I.  Be  diligent.  Never  trifle  away  your  time. 
Always  be  serious.  I,et  5'our  motto  be,  "  Holiness 
Unto  the  Lord."  Avoid  all  vain  conversation, 
converse  sparingly,  condudl  yourself  prudently 
with  women,  and  demean  3'ourself  in  all  respedls 


DISCIPLINE.  69 

as  a  true  Christian.  Be  at  all  times  averse  to  cred- 
iting evil  reports.  Believe  evil  of  no  one  without 
good  evidence.  Put  the  best  construdlion  on  every- 
thing. 

2.  Speak  evil  of  no  one.  Whatever  may  be 
your  thoughts,  keep  them  within  your  own  breast 
until  you  can  tell  the  person  concerned  what  you 
think  wrong  in  his  conduct. 

3.  L,et  your  business  be  to  save  as  man}'  souls 
as  possible.  To  this  employment  give  yourself  up 
wholly.  Visit  those  who  need  it,  and  a(5l  in  all 
things,  not  according  to  your  own  will,  but  as  sons 
in  the  gospel ;  for  as  such  it  becomes  your  dutj' 
to  employ  your  time  in  the  manner  prescribed, 
in  preaching,  and  in  visiting  from  house  to  house, 
in  instru<fkion  and  prayer,  and  in  meditating  on 
the  word  of  God.  With  these  be  occupied  until 
our  Lord  shall  come. 

Preachers  Not  to  Trespass. 
No  preacher  shall  arbitrarily  form  a  circuit,  mis- 
sion, or  station  within  the  limits  of  a  circuit  or 
presiding-elder  distri(fl,  or  shall  receive  compensa- 
tion for  labor  performed  without  the  consent  of  the 
preacher  in  charge;  nor  shall  any  minister  preach- 
ing in  a  different  language  accept  a  call  from  any 
regularly  organized  class  or  congregation  which 
does  not  belong  to  his  conference,  without  the  con- 
sent of  the  annual  conference  to  which  the  charge 
making  the  request  may  belong.  Any  preacher 
violating  the  provisions  of  this  se<5lion  shall  be 
amenable  to  his  quarterly'  or  annual  conference. 


70  DISCIPLINE. 

CHAPTER  VII. 
ITINERACY. 
Section  I. 

ITINEKANTS-HOW  CONSTITUTED. 

All  who  propose  themselves  without  reserve, 
after  having  traveled  two  years  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  stationing  committee  or  presiding  elder, 
and  have  been  received,  as  such,  by  a  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  of  conference,  shall  be  rec- 
ognized as  itinerants. 

Withdrawing  from  the  Itineracy. 

If  anyone  who  is  received,  as  above  stated,  shall 
cease  to  travel  without  giving  satisfaction  to  the 
conference  of  which  he  is  a  member,  he  shall  not 
be  entitled  to  an}-  support  from  the  funds  belong- 
ing to  said  conference.  And,  furthermore,  he  shall 
not  re-enter  the  itineracy  without  the  consent  of  at 
least  two  thirds  of  the  conference.  Yet  supernu- 
merary and  superannuated  relations  shall  be  duly 
recognized  as  in  accordance  with  this  sedlion,  and 
may  be  secured  to  any  brother  having  just  claims 
thereto,  by  a  vote  of  the  conference. 
ItineranV s  Resignation. 

Should  a  traveling  preacher  desire  to  leave  the 
work  assigned  him,  he  must  first  acquaint  the 
presiding  elder  of  his  intention,  by  writing;  and 
should  any  one  leave  or  negle(5t  his  station,  except 
it  be  through  sickness  or  other  unavoidable  cir- 
cumstances, he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  next 
annual  conference. 


DISCIPLINE.  71 

Stationing  Itinerants. 

The  bishop  and  presiding  elders  of  the  past  and 
present  years  shall  constitute  a  stationing  commit, 
tee,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  supply  all  the  cir- 
cuits, stations,  and  missions,  as  far  as  pradlicable, 
from  the  list  of  itinerants;  provided,  however,  that 
where  there  is  but  one  presiding  elder  on  the  com- 
mittee, the  conference  may  eledl  to  the  same  an- 
other elder  from  the  elders  not  asking  for  work 
from  said  committee. 

The  stationing  committee  shall  have  at  least  two 
meetings  before  its  work  is  completed. 

Appeal  from  Stationing  Committee'' s  Report. 

If  any  of  the  preachers  thus  stationed,  or  any 
who  may  not  receive  an  appointment,  are  dissatis- 
fied, they  shall  have  a  right  to  appeal  to  the  annual 
conference.  If  two  thirds  grant  the  appeal--  the 
decision  shall  be  final. 

Report  of  Stationing  Committee. 

The  report  of  the  stationing  committee  shall  be 
read  at  least  six  hours  before  the  adjournment  of 
conference. 

Limit  of  Pastorate. 

No  itinerant  preacher  shall  be  allowed  to  remain 
on  the  same  station  or  circuit  more  than  three  con- 
secutive years,  unless  with  consent  of  the  confer- 
ence. 

*NoTE.— In  case  of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the 
stationing  committee,  no  preacher  stationed  by  said  com- 
mittee shall  be  changed,  without  his  consent,  to  accom- 
modate the  preacher  asking  such  appeal. 


72  DISCIPLINE. 

Evipioyine7it  of  Other  Preachers. 
Should  there  not  be  enough  itinerants  to  fill  all 
the  circuits,  stations,  and  missions,  such  vacancies 
shall  be  supplied  by  the  stationing  committee  or 
presiding  elders. 

Fields  of  Labor. 
A  circuit  or  station  shall  not  consist  of  any  spe- 
cific  number   of  members   or   appointments;    but 
when  the  annual  conference  judges  it  able  to  sup- 
port a  minister,  it  may  be  recognized  as  such. 
Section  II. 

DUTIES  OF  ITINERANTS. 

1.  It  is  the  duty  of  an  itinerant  preacher  to  take 
the  charge  assigned  him  willingly,  and  to  move  to 
it  if  pradlicable. 

2.  He  shall  attend  the  appointments  on  his  cir- 
cuit, preach  to  the  people  regularly,  and  hold  class- 
meetings  when  practicable. 

Correclion  of  the  Church  Records. 

3.  He  in  connedlion  with  the  official  members  of 
each  class,  shall,  at  least  one  month  before  annual 
conference,  correA  the  church  records,  and  appoint 
a  steward,  subjedl  to  the  approval  of  the  class. 
No  name  -shall  be  erased  from  the  records  until  the 
disciplinary  steps  have  been  taken.  He  shall  hold 
a  meeting  of  the  class  and  see  that  a  class  leader  is 
eledled. 

Presiding  at   Trials. 

4.  He  shall  sit  as  president  on  the  trial  of  mem- 
bers and  see  that  a  correal  account  of  the  same  is 
kept. 


DISOPLINE.  73 

Reports. 

5.  He  shall  render  a  stri<5l  account  (as  indicated 
in  form)  of  his  work  at  each  quarterly  conference, 
where  he  is  to  be  held  accountable  for  negle(5l  of 
duty. 

Circulation  of  Literature. 

6.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  use  every  laudable 
effort  to  circulate  our  books  and  church  periodic- 
als, and  to  use  due  diligence  to  advance  the  inter- 
ests of  the  Church  printing  establishment. 

7.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  keep  a  list  of  the 
names  of  all  the  subscribers  to  our  church  period- 
icals, and  the  time  of  subscribing,  at  the  different 
appointments  on  his  circuit,  and  hand  it  over  to 
his  successor  at  the  annual  conference,  with  the 
list  of  the  appointments.  He  shall  also  report  the 
number  of  subscribers  to  our  periodicals  on  his 
field  of  labor  at  each  quarterly  conference,  and  be 
examined  by  the  presiding  elder  and  quarterly 
conference  as  to  whether  he  performs  his  duty  in 
circulating  the  periodicals  of  the  Church  among 
the  people  of  his  charge. 

Dismissal  of  Appointments. 

8.  No  preacher  shall  dismiss  any  appointment 
from  his  circuit,  or  mission,  without  the  consent  of 
quarterly  conference. 

Records. 

9.  He  shall  procure  a  suitable  book  for  a  church- 
record,  in  which  he  shall  register  all  the  appoint- 
ments and  classes  on  his  circuit,  station,  or  mis- 
sion, in  their  regular  order,  with  the  name  of  each 


74  DISCIPLINE. 

member  attached  to  his  or  her  class.  He  shall 
also  make  a  record  of  all  the  baptisms,  marriages, 
deaths,  and  proceedings  of  church  trials,  with  the 
names  of  all  the  parties  in  each  case.  He  shall 
report  this  record  with  the  proceedings  therein 
to  the  last  quarterly  conference  of  each  year  for 
approval  or  improvement.  This  book  shall  be  the 
property  of  the  quarterly  conference,  and  shall  be 
in  addition  to  the  regular  class-books  and  circuit- 
books. 

General  Collections. 

10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  preachers  in  charge 
of  circuits,  stations,  and  missions  to  colledl  the 
annual  amount  apportioned  to  their  fields  of  labor 
for  the  support  of  the  bishops  and  presiding  elders. 

Missionary  ColleElions. 

11.  He  shall  hold  a  general  missionary  meeting 
at  some  convenient  place  on  his  work.  He  shall 
also  preach  a  missionary  sermon,  and  appoint  a 
soliciting  committee  at  every  appointment,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be,  in  conjundlion  with  himself,  to 
canvass  the  church  and  community,  personally,  to 
solicit  funds  for  the  missionary  society.  He  shall 
also  keep  a  list  of  the  names  of  contributors,  as 
far  as  possible,  and  report  the  same  to  conference 
for  publication,  with  the  minutes,  or  in  the  annual 
report  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  as  the  conference 
may  dire(5l.  He  shall  also  establish  monthl}'  mis- 
sionar}'  prayer-meetings  wherever  pra<5licable  in 
the  societies  of  his  charge.     He  shall  be  held  to 


DISCIPLINE.  '  75 

stri(5l  account  for  the  faithful  performance  of  these 
duties. 

Pastoral  Visiting. 

12.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preacher  in  charge 
of  a  station  or  circuit  to  give  as  much  of  his  time  as 
possible  to  visiting  the  families  under  his  charge, 
and  to  pay  stricfl  attention  to  the  young  members 
under  his  care.  We  believe  that  this  private  work 
of  visiting  from  house  to  house  and  exhorting  the 
people  is  founded  or  implied  in  these  solemn 
words  of  the  apostle:  "I  kept  back  nothing  that 
was  profitable  unto  you,  but  have  shewed  you,  and 
have  taught  you  publicly,  and  from  house  to 
house."     (Adls2o:20. ) 

Evangelistic  Work. 

13.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  preachers,  whether 
local  or  itinerant,  to  make  use  of  every  laudable 
effort  to  enlarge  the  borders  of  our  Zion,  to  spread 
scriptural  holiness,  and  to  report  to  their  respective 
annual  conferences  the  number  of  new  appoint- 
ments obtained. 

Section  III. 

PREACHERS'  SALARIES. 

I.  The  salary  of  a  pastor  shall  be  such  amount 
as  may  be  agreed  upon  between  him  and  the  quar- 
terly conference  of  the  field  of  labor  to  which  he 
is  sent.  When  a  charge  owns  a  parsonage,  or  rents 
a  house  for  the  pastor  to  live  in,  the  charge  shall 
have  credit  for  the  same,  by  the  pastor  reporting 
as  so  much  salary  the  amount  the  parsonage  would 
rent  for,  or  the  amouut  paid  for  the  rented  house. 


76  DISCIPLINE. 

2.  A  missionary  emploj^ed  by  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions shall  receive  such  salary  as  in  the  judgment 
of  the  board  may  be  proper. 

3.  Preachers  sustaining  a  superannuated  rela- 
tion, and  their  widows  and  orphans,  shall  be  pro- 
vided for  by  their  respedlive  annual  conferences, 
as  their  wants  may  require. 

Parsonage  and  Moving  of  Preacher. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  circuit  or  station, 
when  a  preacher  is  sent  to  it  by  annual  conference, 
to  provide  a  house  and  move  said  preacher  at  their 
own  expense. 

CHAPTER    VIII. 
APPEAI.S. 
Section  i. 
from  the  decision  of  a  class. 
Should  any  member    be   dissatisfied  with    the 
decision  of  a  church  or  class,  or  committee  of  a 
church  or  class,  an  appeal  may  be  had  to  the  next 
quarterly  conference  by  giving  notice  thereof  to 
the  preacher  in  charge,   or  the  secretary  of  the 
trial,  within  thirty  days  after  said  trial,  together 
with  his  reasons  for  such  appeal ;  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnifch  the  quarterly 
conference  with  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  trial  and  of  the  notice  of  the  appeal. 
Section  II. 

FROM    THE    DECISION  OF   A  QUARTERLY    CONFER- 
ENCE. 

Any  exhorter  or  preacher  dissatisfied  with  the 
decision  of  a  quarterly  conference  may  appeal  to 


DISCIPLINE.  77 

the  ensuing  annual  conference  within  thirty  days 
after  the  quarterly  conference,  by  giving  notice  to 
the  secretary,  in  writing,  of  his  intention  to  appeal, 
together  with  his  reason  for  so  doing;  and  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnish  a  certified 
cop}'  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification  and  rea- 
sons assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

Section  III. 

COURT  OF  APPEALS. 

1.  Any  member  of  an  annual  conference,  when 
dissatisfied  with  the  decision  thereof,  shall  have  a 
right  to  appeal  to  a  judicial  court,  which  shall  be 
constituted  and  governed  as  hereinafter  stated. 

2.  Each  annual  conference,  at  the  first  session 
subsequent  to  the  session  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence, shall  eledl  by  ballot  two  members  of  the 
court,  who  shall  hold  oflSce  for  four  consecutive 
years. 

3.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  an  annual  confer- 
ence in  form  and  manner  hereinafter  set  forth,  the 
presiding  bishop  of  said  conference  shall  at  such 
time  and  place  as  he  may  determine,  call  together 
nine  of  the  members  of  the  court  most  accessible 
to  the  conference  from  which  the  appeal  is  taken, 
who  thus  called  together  shall  constitute  an  ap- 
pellate court  to  hear  and  determine  said  appeal. 

4.  This  court  shall  organize  by  electing  a  chair- 
man and  some  competent  person  as  secretary. 

5.  The  secretary  shall  receive  and  hold  all  pa- 
pers and  records  pertaining  to  said  appeal,  subject 
to  the  order  of  the  chairman  ;  keep  a  true  record 


78  DISCIPLINE. 

of  all  proceedings  of  said  court,  and  certify  the 
decision  thereof  to  the  annual  conference  from 
which  the  appeal  is  taken,  and  also  to  the  appel- 
lant. 

6.  Seven  of  these  members  shall  be  necessary 
to  constitute  a  quorum,  and  five  must  agree  on  a 
verdidt,  except  in  isolated  conferences,  where  a 
quorum  may  consist  of  five  only. 

7.  The  decision  of  this  court  shall  in  all  cases 
be  final,  except  when  the  objections  are  taken  on 
the  ground  that  the  proceedings  were  irregular  in 
the  application  of  law,  and  said  obje(5lions  are  en- 
tered before  the  verdidl  of  the  court  is  announced. 
In  case  of  appeal  from  the  court  under  this  clause, 
the  appellant  must  give  notice  within  thirty  days 
to  the  secretary  of  the  court,  who  shall  send  a 
copy  of  all  proceedings  in  said  case  to  the  General 
Conference. 

8.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  an 
annual  conference,  the  appellant  must  give  writ- 
ten notice  to  the  secretary  of  said  conference,  set- 
ting forth  both  his  intent  to  appeal  and  the  reasons 
for  so  doing. 

9.  On  receipt  of  a  notice  of  appeal,  the  secre- 
tary of  the  conference  shall  immediately  notify  the 
presiding  bishop,  and,  on  notice  from  said  bishop, 
transmit  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  confer- 
ence in  said  case  to  said  court. 

10.  The  necessary  expenses  incurred  in  the  as- 
sembling of  said  court  shall  be  provided  for  by 
each  annual  conference  for  its  respective  members 
of  the  court. 


DISCIPLINE.  79 

CHAPTER  IX. 

SECEDING  MEMBERS. 

Special  EnaSlment. 
Persons  representing  themselves  as  members  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and 
being  insubordinate  to  the  General  Conference, 
and  refusing  to  obey  the  order  and  discipline  of 
the  Church,  as  provided  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence, shall  be  dealt  with  as  follows: 

1.  In  case  of  a  presiding  elder  being  suspended, 
or  expelled,  or  who  shall  withdraw  from  the  Church 
by  joining  another  denomination,  or  connedl  him- 
self with  the  minority  body  which  seceded  from 
the  General  Conference  at  York,  Pa.,  May  13,  1S89, 
and  formed  a  new  organization,  it  shall  the  dutj'  of 
the  presiding  bishop  of  the  distri<5l  to  appoint  a 
successor  to  said  presiding  elder,  and  require  him 
to  take  charge  of  the  distri(5l  forthwith. 

2.  If  the  offender  be  a  pastor,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  presiding  elder  of  the  distridl  to  ap- 
point a  successor,  and  require  him  co  occupy  said 
charge  forthwith. 

3.  If  the  oflFender  be  a  member  of  the  quarter!}- 
conference,  either  minister  or  laymafi,  he  shall  be 
declared  by  the  presiding  elder  as  having  irregular- 
ly withdrawn  from  the  Church,  and  his  name  shall 
be  erased  from  the  roll  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence. 

4.  If  the  offender  be  a  private  member  who  has 
irregularly  withdrawn  from  the  Church  by  joining 
the  said  seceding  organization,  it  shall  be-  the  duty 


So  DISCIPLINE. 

of  the  pastor  to  report  the  fadl  to  the  congregation 
and  correct  the  roll  of  church-membership. 

5.  In  the  opening  and  organization  of  an  an- 
nual conference  or  mission  distridt,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  presiding  bishop  to  require  the  officer 
or  member  who  calls  the  roll  to  record,  as  having 
irregularly  withdrawn,  the  names  of  those  who 
have  conne(5led  themselves  with  said  seceding 
party. 

Provided,  that  if  any  persons  thus  affiliating 
shall,  within  a  reasonable  time,  manifest  a  desire 
to  return  to  their  former  relation  as  members  of 
the  Church,  they  may,  with  the  consent  of  the 
local  church,  be  reinstated. 


CHAPTER   X. 
COURSES   OP  READING  AND  STUDY. 

Section  i. 
quartekly  conference  preachers. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  person  receiving  a 
quarterly  conference  license  to  preach  to  pursue 
the  following  course  of  study: 

1.  Outline  Normal  I,essons — Hurlbut. 

2.  Outline  Bible  Studies — Dunning.  » 

3.  The  Bible;  the  Sunday-School  Text  Book— 
Holborn. 

4.  The  Modern  Sunday- School — Vincent. 

5.  A  Primer  of  Christian  Evidences— Redford. 

6.  The  Seven  I^aws  of  Teaching — Gregory. 

7.  Progress  of  Dodtrine  in  the  New  Testament- 
Bernard, 


DISCIPLINE.  8l 

8.  United  Brethren  Church  History — i^awrence. 

9.  Theological  Compend — vSteele's  Binney. 
10.  Outline  Study  of  Man — Hopkins. 

Examination. 

At  the  fourth  quarterly  conference  of  each  year, 
the  presiding  elder  and  pastor  shall  hold  an  exam- 
ination in  the  above  course. 

All  licentiates  shall  be  required  to  complete  the 
quarterly  conference  course  of  study  before  being 
admitted  to  the  annual  conference  course  of  study. 
Permanent  License, 

Any  one  completing  the  above  course  of  study 
and  passing  a  satisfacftory  examination  in  the  same 
shall  receive  a  license  acknowledging  that  fact, 
which  shall  exempt  him  from  annual  renevt^al,  so 
long  as  his  do(5line  and  deportment  shall  be  con- 
formable to  the  dodlrine  of  Christ  and  the  usages 
of  our  church. 

Section  II. 

ANNUAL  CONFEBENCE  PREACHERS, 

Examinations. 

All  licentiate  preachers  are  to  be  examined  oc 
the  following  course  of  study  by  the  annual  con- 
ference to  which  they  belong.  These  examina- 
tions, as  far  as  practicable,  shall  be  in  writing,  and 
graded  according  to  the  following  scale  :  i.  very 
good  ;  2.  good  ;  3.  medium  ;  4.  poor  ;  5.  very  poor. 

L,icentiates  shall  be  examined,  also,  each  year 
of  their  probation,  on  the  Bible  and  on  the  doc- 
trine and  government  of  the  Church,  as  taught  in 
our  book  of  discipline,  and  shall  also  produce  a 


82  DISCIPLINE. 

written  sermon  or  essay.  It  is  presumed  that  a 
fair  knowledge  of  the  ordinary  branches  of  an 
English  or  German  education  has  been  acquired 
before  entering  upon  this  course.  If  the  licentiate 
does  not  possess  such  knowledge,  he  shall  be  ex- 
amined, each  year,  in  grammar  and  geography. 
First  Year. 

Dogmatics:  Existenceand  Attributes  of  God;  The 
Trinity;  Creation  and  Providence.    Pope,  Vol.  I. 

Homiletics,  parts  I  and  II. — Etter. 

Biblical  History. — Blaikie. 

Companion  to  the  Bible. — Barrow. 

Great  Commission. — Harris. 

Rh  etoric . — Hart. 

Second  Year. 

Dogmatics:  Sin;  Redemption;  The  Holy  Ghost. 
Pope.  Vol.  II. 

Homiletics,  parts  III  and  IV. — Etter. 

Church  Histor5\ — Fisher. 

Mental  Philosophy. — Haven. 

Manual  of  Christian  Evidences. — Fisher. 

Elocution.  — Mcllvaine. 

Third   Year. 

Dogmatics:  Regeneration;  Justification;  Sandli- 
fication;  The  Church;  The  Christian  Sabbath;  The 
Sacraments;  I,ast  Things.     Pope,  Vol.  III. 

Pastoral  Theology. — Shedd. 

lyOgic. — Atwater. 

The  Beginnings  of  Christianity. — Fisher. 

Analogy  of  Religion. — Butler. 

Christian  Ethics. — Gregory. 


DISCIPLINE.  83 

Do(5lrine  of  Christian  Baptism. — Etter. 

Books  Recommended — Imitation  of  Christ,  Kem- 
pis  ;  Christian  Doctrine,  Weaver  ;  Universal  His- 
tory, Barnes;  Church  History,  SchafF;  Foreign 
Missions,  Pierson  ;  Antiquities  of  the  Jews,  Jose- 
phus ;  History  of  Christian  DoClrine,  Sheldon  ; 
Theistic  and  Christian  Belief,  Fisher  ;  History  of 
the  Reformation,  Fisher  ;  Fresh  Light  from  the 
Monuments,  Sayce  ;  Parish  Problems,  Gladden  ; 
Modern  Doubt  and  Christian  Belief,  Christlieb  ; 
Pastoral  Theology.  Hoppin  ;  Biblical  Geography, 
Hurlbut ;  Holy  Living  and  IJoly  D  ing,  Taylor. 
Section  III. 

GEKMAN  COUKSE  OF  READING. 

Quarterly- Conference  Preachers. 

FIRST   YEAR. 

Bible,  Discipline,  Kirchen-geshichte,  Fleischer's 
Appelation,  Nelson's  Ursachen  des  Unglaubens. 
Hare's  Rechtfettigung. 

SECOND    YEAR. 

Bible;  Discipline;  D'Aubigne's  Reformation- 
geschichte;  Christlich-Apostolisches  Glaubensbe- 
kenntniss,  von  Nast;  Bekoempfung  des  Unglau- 
bens,  von  Dr.  Christlieb. 

THIRD   YEAR. 

Bible;  Discipline;  Zeller's  Seelenlehre;  Philoso- 
phic des  Erloesungs  Plans;  Nast  Ueber  die  Gott- 
heit  Christi. 


84  DISCIPLINE. 

Geschichte;  Clark's  Handbook;  Sulzberger's  Dog- 
matik — First  Part;  Fletcher's  Appeal;  Nelson  on 
Infidelity:  Hare  on  Justification;  Nippert's  Practi- 
cal Theolog}';  Wurst's  Sprachlehre ;  written  ser- 
mon— subjedl,  Justification. 

SECOND    YEAR. 

Bible;  Wurst's  Sprachlehre,  continued;  Sulzber- 
ger's Dogmatik — Part  II;  D'Aubigne's  History  of 
the  Reformation;  Zeller  on  the  Soul;  Philosophy 
of  the  Plan  of  Salvation;  Luthardt's  Apologetischc 
Vortrage;  written  sermon — subjedl,  The  Christiar 
Sabbath. 

THIRD  YEAR. 

Bible;  Discipline;  Sulzberger's  Dogmatik— Part 
III;  Liscoe's  Apostolic  Creed;  Oosterzee's  Christo- 
logische  Betrachtungen,  von  Dr.  Nast;  Christliche 
Erfahrung,  von  Merrill;  Pearson's  Infidelity;  Dr. 
A.  Hiilster's  Psychology  (Seelenlehre)  ;  written 
sermon — subjedl,  Baptism. 

Section  IV. 
Completing  the  Course. 
Each  licentiate  is  expecfled  to  complete  the  pre- 
scribed course  within  three  years,  unless  a  good 
reason  exists  for  delay;  provided,  that  any  licenti- 
ate who  has  completed  the  full  course  of  study  in 
Union  Biblical  Seminary,  and  has  passed  the  ex- 
amination entitling  him  to  a  diploma  of  that  insti- 
tution, may  be  excused  from  ex  .min?.tion  in  this 
course  of  study. 

Section  V, 
Preparation  for  the  MirAstry^ 
Wq.  urgo  upon  all  who  contempl:.!:.  giving  them- 


DISCIPLINE.  85 

selves  to  the  gospel  ministry  the  vital  importance 
of  completing  a  course  of  study  in  some  one  of 
our  institutions  of  learning,  and  in  addition,  a 
course  in  Union  Biblical  Seminary.  In  exceptional 
cases  wherein  circumstances  absolutely  forbid 
such  preparation,  there  should  be  the  utmost  dili- 
gence given  to  well-advised  reading  and  study  in 
order  to  successful  work  in  the  ministry.  "Study 
to  show  thyself  approved  unto  God,  a  workman 
that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing 
the  word  of  truth." 


CHAPTER  XI. 

MEETING-HOUSES  AND   PARSONAGES. 

Church- Houses. 

I,et  all  our  meeting-houses  be  built  plain  and 

neat,  with  free  seats,  and  not  more  expensive  than 

necessary. 

Trustees. 

Boards  of  trustees  of  meeting-houses  and  par- 
sonages shall  in  all  cases  have  warranty  deeds 
legally  executed  and  made  to  them  and  their  suc- 
cessors in  office,  in  trust  for  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  shall  have  the 
same  recorded  in  the  county  records  where  the 
property  is  situated. 

Whenever  it  is  contemplated  by  a  local  church 
to  purchase  or  build  a  meeting-house,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  a  leader  or  steward  of  said  church  to 
make  it  known  to  the  quarterly  conference  of  the 
circuit  or  station  to  which  he  belongs,  whose  duty 


86  DISCIPLINE. 

it  shall  be  to  appoint  a  judicious  board  of  trustees, 
where  the  law  of  the  state  does  not  otherwise  pro- 
vide, of  not  less  than  three  in  number,  or  as  the 
law  of  the  state  in  which  said  house  is  to  be  built 
may  dire<5l;  provided,  however,  that  at  least  a  ma- 
jority of  such  board  of  trustees  shall  be  members 
of  our  church.  The  trustees  shall  hold  their  oflSce 
during  the  pleasure  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Buildi7ig  of  Church-Houses  and  Parsonages. 

No  local  church  shall  commence  the  building  of 
any  meeting-house  or  parsonage  without  first  get- 
ting an  adl  of  incorporation,  where  the  law  of  the 
state  requires  it.  They  shall  form  an  estimate  of 
the  amount  necessary  ic  procure  a  lot,  to  build, 
and  to  make  such  other  improvements  as  may  be 
considered  necessary.  And  they  shall  at  no  time 
proceed  in  incurring  expenses  beyond  the  means 
either  in  hand  or  sufficiently  assured,  so  as  to 
avoid  involving  our  houses  of  worship  and  parson- 
ages in  any  way  by  debt. 

Duties  of  Trustees. 

The  trustees  shall  hold  meetings  annually,  or 
oftener  if  need  be,  and  shall  eledl  from  their  num- 
ber the  following  officers:  namely,  a  president,  sec- 
retary, and  treasurer.  The  meetings  of  the  board 
shall  be  subjedl  to  the  call  of  the  president.  It 
shall  be  the  dutj'-  of  the  secretary  to  keep  a  correal 
record  of  all  the  business  tranvsacflions  of  the  beard 
in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  which  shall  at 
all  times  be  open  for  inspedlion  by  the  quarterly 


DISCIPLINE.  87 

conference  of  the  charge  having  the  care  of  the 
property.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  for 
meeting-house,  cemetery,  and  parsonage  purposes, 
and  pay  out  the  same  under  the  direction  cf  the 
board,  and  report  to  the  board  the  financial  con- 
dition at  their  several  meetings. 

The  board  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the 
quarterly  conference. 

P''acaucies: 

When  a  vacancy  or  vacancies  occur  in  the  Board 
of  Trustees  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  quT-rterly  con- 
ference to  appoint  a  suitable  person  or  persons  to 
fill  such  vacancies,  and  to  see  that  the  records 
of  the  county  wherein  such  board  may  reside  shall 
correspond  with  the  fadls  in  the  case,  according  as 
the  law  of  the  stats  may  require,  after  such  vacancy 
has  been  filled. 

Abandoned  Church-Houses. 

When  a  house  of  worship  ceases  to  be  used  by 
our  own  people  for  preaching  or  other  religious 
purposes,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  elder 
of  the  district  in  which  such  house  is  located  to  re- 
port to  the  annual  conference,  which  body  shall 
have  power  to  appoint  a  Board  of  Trustees  who 
shall  rent,  lease,  or  sell  such  house  of  worship  as 
they  deem  advisable,  and  report  their  proceedings 
to  the  annual  conference,  which  body  shall  have 
power  to  use  proceeds  to  pay  debts  on  other  houses 
of  worship,  build  new  houses,  or  turn  the  money 
into  the  funds  of  the  Church  Eredlion  Society,  as 


88  DISCIPLINE, 

may  seem  proper  at  its  own  discretion;  provided, 
that  in  no  case  shall  a  church-liouse  and  its  prem- 
ises be  sold  without  the  consent  of  a  majority  of 
the  quarterly  or  annual  conference  within  whose 
bounds  it  is  located. 

Abandoned  Parsonages. 

When  the  pastor  refuses  to  occupy  the  parson- 
age, the  question  as  to  what  disposition  shall  be 
made  of  any  revenues  realized  by  renting  the 
property,  or  otherwise,  shall  be  determined  by  the 
quarterly  conference. 

Should  any  parsonage  be  permanently  aban- 
doned as  such,  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district 
in  which  such  parsonage  is  located  shall  report  the 
.same  to  the  annual  conference,  which  body  shall 
have  power  to  appoint  a  board  of  trustees,  who 
shall  rent  or  sell  such  parsonage,  and  pay  over  the 
proceeds  to  the  annual  conference,  which  body 
shall  expend  the  same  in  paying  debts  on  other 
parsonages,  or  in  building  new  ones  within  its 
borders. 

Transfer  from  German  to  English. 

When  a  lot  is  deeded  to  an  English  United 
Brethren  church,  or  to  a  German  United  Brethren 
church,  and  one  or  the  other  ceases  to  exist  in  an 
organized  form  by  deaths,  removals,  expulsions, 
or  otherwise,  the  church  remaining  shall  have  full 
right  to  make  such  improvements  or  repairs  on 
said  lot  as  may  be  needed  for  worship  and  a  peace- 
able possession. 


DISCIPLINE.  89 

Division  of  Interests. 
In  cases  where  fields  of  labor  having  parsonages 
upon  them  are  divided,  the  disposition  of  said  par- 
sonages shall  be  submitted  to  a  board  of  arbiters, 
consisting  of  three  members  of  the  Church,  one  to 
be  chosen  by  each  quarterly  conference,  and  the 
third  by  these  two,  to  whom  the  whole  matter  shall 
be  referred,  their  decision  of  the  case  being  final. 
In  cases  where  more  than  two  quarterly  confer- 
ences are  interested,  the  same  plan  shall  be  pur- 
sued. 

Real  Estate. 

Real  estate  held  for  church  or  parsonage  purposes 
shall  be  subject  to  the  same  regulations  as  houses 
of  worship  and  parsonages. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MORAL  REFORM. 

Section  I. 

TEMPERANCE. 

Intoxicating  Dri^iks. 
I.  The  distilling,  vending  and  using  of  intoxi- 
cating drinks  as  a  beverage  shall  be  and  are  hereby 
forbidden  throughout  our  church,  as  are  also  the 
renting  and  leasing  of  property  to  be  used  for  the 
manufadlure  or  sale  of  such  beverages,  as  also  is 
the  signing  of  petitions  for  license  or  the  entering 
as  bondsmen  for  persons  engaged  in  the  traffic  ol 
intoxicating  drinks;  and  should  any  of  our  mem- 
bers or  preachers  be  found  guilty  in  these  respedls 
they  shall  be  dealt  with  as  in  the  case  of  other  im- 


90  DISCIPLINE. 

moralities;  provided,  however,  that  this  rule  shall 
not  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  druggists  and 
others  from  the  vending  or  using  of  alcohol  for 
medicinal  or  mechanical  purposes. 
Tobacco. 
We  believe  that  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any 
form  is  injurious  to  physical  health,  and  a  need- 
less waste  of  money  which  could  and  should  be 
otherwise  employed;  and  we  kindly  advise  our 
members,  especially  our  younger  members,  to 
abstain  from  its  use. 

Skction  II. 

SLAVERY. 

All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  is  totally 
prohibited,  and  shall  in  no  way  be  tolerated  in  our 
church.  Should  any  be  found  in  our  church  who 
hold  slaves,  they  cannot  continue  as  members 
unless  they  do  personally  manumit  or  set  free  such 
slaves. 

And  when  it  is  known  to  any  of  our  ministers  in 
charge  of  a  circuit,  station,  or  mission,  that  any  of 
its  members  hold  a  slave  or  slaves,  he  shall  admon- 
ish such  members  to  manumit  such  slave  or  slaves; 
and  if  such  persons  do  not  take  measures  to  carry 
out  the  discipline,  they  shall  be  expelled  by  the 
proper  authorities  of  the  Church;  and  any  minis- 
ter refusing  to  attend  to  the  dutiesabove  described 
shall  be  dealt  with  by  the  authorities  to  which  he 
is  amenable.* 

*This  law,  in  its  essential  prohibitory  features,  was 
adopted  by  the  General  Couference  in  1821^  Bishop  New- 
comer presiding. 


DISCIPLINE.  91 

Section  III. 

SECRET  COMBINATIONS. 

A  secret  combination  is  a  secret  league  or  con- 
federation of  persons  holding  principles  and  laws 
at  variance  with  the  word  of  God  and  injurious  to 
Christian  charadler,  as  evidenced  in  individual  life, 
and  infringing  upon  the  natural,  social,  political, 
or  religious  rights  of  those  outside  its  pale. 

Any  member  or  minister  of  our  church  found  in 
conne(5lion  with  such  combination  shall  be  dealt 
with  as  in  other  cases  of  disobedience  to  the  order 
and  discipline  of  the  Church;  in  case  of  members, 
as  found  in  Chapter  IV.,  Sedlion  3,  and  in  case  of 
ministers  as  found  in  Chapter  VI.,  Sedlion  9. 

Section  IV. 

OATHS. 

We  believe  that  the  mode  of  testifying  to  the 
truth  when  required  so  to  do  in  a  legal  form,  by 
way  of  affirmation,  is  on  us  solemnl}',  conscien- 
tiously and  fully  binding,  before  God,  to  tell  the 
truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth. 

Section  V. 

WAR. 

We  most  positively  record  our  disapproval  of 
engaging  in  voluntary  national  aggressive  warfare; 
yet  we  recognize  the  rightful  authority  of  the  civil 
government,  and  hold  it  responsible  for  the  pres- 
ervation and  defense  of  our  national  compadl, 
against  treason   or    invasion    bj'   any   belligerent 


92  DISCIPLINE. 

force,  and  we  believe  it  to  be  entirely  consistent 
with  the  spirit  of  Christianity  to  bear  arms  when 
called  upon  to  do  so  by  the  properly  constituted 
authorities  of  our  government  for  its  preservation 
and  defense. 

Section  VI. 

THE  MARRIAGE  RELATION. 

1.  We  believe  that  the  marriage  relation  is  of 
divine  authority;  that  it  is  the  mutual  union  of  one 
man  and  one  woman;  that  the  obligation  is  most 
sacred,  and  morally  binding  as  long  as  both  shall 
live,  and  therefore  cannot  be  dissolved  at  will,  nor 
vshould  it  be  by  a  decree  of  a  civil  tribunal,  except 
on  evidence  that  one  party  is  guilty  of  adultery. 

2.  On  positive  evidence  of  such  guilt  the  inno- 
cent party  is  freed  from  further  matrimonial  obliga- 
tions and  justly  entitled  to  a  divorce. 

3.  We  deny  the  right  of  marriage  by  virtue  of  a 
divorce  obtained  for  other  causes  than  adultery  on 
the  part  of  the  person  from  whom  the  divorce  is 
obtained,  and  therefore  the  right  of  the  guilty  party 
to  remarry. 

4.  Any  person  sustaining  a  married  relation  con- 
trary to  that  above  recognized  as  justifiable  shall 
be  ineligible  to  the  office  of  the  ministry  in  this 
church. 

5.  Any  minister  of  this  church  who  shall  know- 
ingl}'  solemnize  the  marriage  of  persons,  either  of 
whom  has  been  divorced  for  other  than  the  above 
justifiable  cause,  shall  be  amenable  to  the  Church 
for  disobedience  to  the  order  thereof. 


DISCIPLINE.  93 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

DOCTRINAI.    PUBLICATIONS. 

Book  Committee. 

1.  The  editor  of  the  Religious  Telescope,  the 
editor  of  the  Sabbath-school  literature,  the  editor 
of  the  German  periodicals,  the  editor  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Visitor,  and  the  publishing  agent  shall 
constitute  a  book  committee,  without  whose  sanc- 
tion no  book  shall  be  published  in  the  name  of  the 
Church  or  publishing  house  during  the  intervals  of 
the  General  Conference. 

Authorship  of  Do5lrinal  Publicatioyis. 

2.  No  one  of  our  preachers  or  laymen  shall 
become  the  author  of  any  doctrinal  book  or  pamph- 
let, in  a  printed  form,  in  the  name  of  the  Church, 
without  the  approbation  of  the  book  committee,  or 
the  annual  conference,  or  of  a  committee  chosen 
by  the  latter.  And  if  any  preacher  or  layman  vio- 
lates this  rule,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  class, 
or  to  the  quarterly  or  annual  conference,  as  the  case 
may  be. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

CHARTERS. 

General  Boards  of  Trustees. 
I.  The  General  Conference  shall  eledl  a  board 
of  trustees,  consisting  of  twelve  persons,  who  shall 
hold  their  office  for  four  years,  or  until  their  suc- 
cessors are  eledled  ;  which  board  shall  provide  for 
the  legal  recognition  of  the  General  Conference, 
and  secure  the  Church  in  all  its  property  interests 


94  DISCIPLINE. 

by  obtaining  tiie  proper  articles  of  incorporation 
for  said  purpose. 

Special  Boards  of  Trustees. 

2.  The  several  boards  of  the  Church,  for  their 
respe(5live  interests  or  institutions,  shall  secure 
suitable  articles  of  incorporation. 

Trustees  of  Church-Houses  and  Parsonages. 

3.  All  boards  of  trustees  of  church-houses  and 
parsonages,  or  real  estate  held  as  Church  propert}', 
shall  procure  articles  of  incorporation  accordixig 
to  the  statutory  provisions  in  force  where  the  prop- 
erty is  located,  and  according  to  the  laws  of  the 
Church  ;  and  at  the  second  quarterly  conference  of 
each  year,  the  presiding  elders  shall  examine  said 
boards  as  to  the  proper  performance  of  this  duty, 
and  give  such  instruction  as  may  be  necessary. 

Bequests. 

4.  Bequests  for  the  benefit  of  the  Church,  not 
dire(5led  to  any  one  of  the  special  boards,  shall  be 
made  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  to  be  managed  or 
applied  by  them  in  harmony  with  the  specified 
purpose  of  the  donors,  or,  in  the  absence  of  such 
specification,  to  be  administered  according  to  the 
discretion  of  said  board. 


CHAPTER   XV. 
SABBATH-SCHOOI^. 

Section  I. 

DUTY  TO   children   AND    SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 

I.     For  the  benefit  of  the  rising  generation  let 
those  who  are  zealous  for  the  welfare  of  their  fel- 


DISCIPLINE.  95 

lows  beg^n  immediately,  wherever  children  are 
found,  to  speak  freely  to  them,  and  instru(5l  them 
diligently,  exhort  them  to  love  Jesns,  and  pray 
with  them  earnestly  and  plainly,  that  they  may 
learn  to  know  and  remember  their  Creator  in  the 
days  of  their  youth. 

2.  Wherever  pra(5licable,  Sabbath-schools 
should  be  organized  according  to  the  constitution 
and  by-laws  herein  contained.. 

Members^  Duties. 
3.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  our  members  to 
encourage  our  Sabbath-schools  by  their  presence 
when  pradlicable,  and  always  to  lend  them  their 
aid  and  influence. 

Section  II. 

GENERAL  SABBATH-SCHOOL   BOARD. 

CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Name. 
This  shall  be  called  the  General  Sabbath-school 
Board  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Composition* 
This  board  shall  be  composed  of  five  diredlors 
and  one  secretary,  who  shall  be  eledled  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  every  four  years.     Two  members 
of  this  board  shall  be  laymen. 

•  ARTICLE  III. 

Organization. 
This  board  shall  be  organized  by  eledling  one  of 
their  number  president,  and  some  suitable  person 
treasurer. 


96  DISCIPLINE. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

Objen. 
The  objedl  of  this  board  shall  be  to  promote  the 
cause  of  Sabbath-schools  in  connecftion  with  our 
church  and  elsewhere,  and  thus,  by  our  united 
efforts,  to  promote  the  glory  of  God  and  the  happi- 
ness and  salvation  of  mankind. 

ARTICLE   V. 

Duties. 

Pf'esident. — The  president  shall  have  the  general 
operations  of  the  board  under  his  care.  He  shall 
call  meetings  of  the  board  when  necessary,  and 
present  the  wants  of  the  board ;  and  he  shall  sign 
all  orders  drawn  on  the  treasurer  for  the  use  of  the 
board,  as  appropriated  by  it. 

Secretary. — The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of 
all  the  business  transactions  of  the  Board,  condudl 
its  correspondence,  report  to  it  ajinually  or  oftener 
if  desired,  and  make  such  reports  for  it  to  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  as  may  be  required,  and  if  practi- 
cable, at  the  request  of  the  Board,  devote  his  whole 
time  to  its  interests. 

Treasurer. — The  treasurer  shall  take  charge  of 
and  hold  in  trust  all  the  funds  and  papers  of  value 
belonging  to  the  Board,  subject  to  its  dire(5lion  and 
the  written  order  of  the  president. 

.    ARTICLE  VI. 

Meetings^  Powers,  D 21  ties. 
Meetings  of  the  Board  shall  be  held  annually,  or 
oftener  if  need  be,  at  the  call  of  the  president,  to 


DISCIPLINE.  97 

provide  ways  and  means  for  the  successful  opera- 
tion of  its  plans.  It  shall  appropriate  money  to 
defray  all  necessary  expenses,  and  no  money  shall 
be  paid  out  of  its  funds  except  by  its  express  or- 
der. It  shall  have  power  to  fill  vacancies  in  its 
numbers,  and  to  employ  any  suitable  person  or 
persons  to  perform  needed  services  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  its  objedls  under  its  dire(5lion.  It 
shall  also,  throug^h  its  secretary,  make  quadrennial 
reports  to  the  General  Conference. 

ARTICLE   VII. 

Appropriations. 

The  funds  of  the  board  shall  be  used  as  follows: 

1.  To  assist  in  organizing  and  sustaining  Sab- 
bath-schools in  such  localities  and  in  such  manner 
as  may  be  advisable. 

2.  To  condudl  the  business  and  ca-rv  forward 
the  work  of  the  board. 

Applications  for  Aid. 

3.  When  aid  is  needed,  those  making  the  appli- 
cation shall  first  organize  a  United  Brethren  Sab- 
bath-school by  adopting  the  disciplinary  regula- 
tioEs  of  the  Church,  and  shall  report  the  fa(5l  to 
the  secretar}',  as  well  as  the  kind  and  amount  of 
help  needed  ;  and  upon  a  favorable  consideration 
of  the  application,  such  supplies  as  may  be  con- 
sidered necessary  and  advisable  shall  be  furnished. 
Such  donations  shall,  however,  be  discontinued 
unless  a  church-organization  shall  be  efFedled  after 
a  reasonable  time. 


98  DISCIPLINE. 

Section  III. 

ANNUAL-CONFERENCE   RELATIONS  AND   DUTIES. 

Officers. 

1.  Each  conference  shall  annually  eledl  one 
person  who  shall  be  Sabbath-school  secretary  and 
treasurer,  who  shall  be  an  advisory  member  of  the 
General  Sabbath-school  board,  and  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  give  diligent  attention  to  all  the  inter- 
ests of  this  board  before  the  conference;  to  receive 
and  transmit  the  funds  for  this  board  to  the  treas- 
urer thereof;  to  be  faithful  in  correspondence  with 
the  secretary  of  this  board  ;  to  hold  at  a  conve- 
nient time  during  the  session  a  Sabbath- school 
anniversary  for  the  purpose  of  advancing  %e  Sab- 
bath-school cause. 

Pastors''  Duiies. 

2.  The  pastor  shall  have  general  supervision  of 
all  the  Sabbath-schools  on  his  charge.  It  shall  be 
his  duty  to  be  present  at  all  sessions  of  the  Sab- 
bath-school as  far  as  pra<5licable  ;  to  preside  at  all 
business  meetings  when  present,  and  at  all  meet- 
ings for  the  organization  of  Sabbath  schools.  He 
shall  organize  a  Sabbath-school  at  each  appoint- 
ment on  his  charge,  where  there  is  not  one  already; 
he  shall  preach  on  the  subject  at  each  appointment 
at  least  once  a  year;  he  shall  report  to  his  confer- 
ence the  number  of  schools,  the  number  of  ofEcers 
and  teachers  employed,  the  number  of  scholars 
enrolled,  the  number  of  conversions  among  the 
scholars,  the  number  of  schools  continuing  through 
the  year,  and  the  amount  of  money  colledled  for 


DISCIPLINE.  99 

the  use  of  schools,  for  the  general  fund,  for  mis- 
sions, and  for  any  other'purpose. 
vSection  IV. 

ORGANIZATION   OF   SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 

In  order  to  insure  unity  in  administration  and 
soundness    of   teaching,  all   our    Sabbath  schools 
shall,  as  far  as  possible,  conform  to  the  following: 
Organizing  Sabbath- Schools. 

1.  Any  preacher  or  member  of  this  church  may 
organize  a  United  Brethren  Sabbath- school  outside 
of  a  regular  pastoral  charge  by  calling  a  meeting  of 
the  members  of  the  Church,  together  with  other 
friends  of  Sabbath-schools,  in  any  community 
where  practicable,  and  organize  by  enrolling  all 
who  will  agree  to  unite  in  such  organization,  and 
proceed  to  ele(5l,  by  ballot  or  otherwise,  a  superin- 
tendent and  other  necessary  officers;  provided, 
however,  that  none  be  allowed  to  vote  who  are 
under  twelve  years  of  age. 

Officers. 

2.  The  superintendent  and  other  general  officers 
of  the  school  shall  hold  their  respedlive  offices  one 
year,  or  until  their  successors  shall  have  been  ap- 
pointed in  the  manner  prescribed  in  the  constitu- 
tion. 

Superintendent^ s  Duties. 

3.  The  superintendent  shall  render  to  each  quar- 
terly conference  an  account  of  the  condition  of  his 
school,  stating  also  whether  he  is  prompt  in  open- 
ing and  orderly  in  his  management  of  the  same, 
and  at  the  close  of  his  term  he  shall  see  that  a  sue- 


lOO  DISCIPLINE. 

cesser  is  seledled  after  the  manner  prescribed;  pro 
vided,  that  on  stations  where  it  shall  be  thought 
best  b}'  the  pastor,  the  quarterly  conference  maj 
eledl  the  superintendent. 

Dismissal  of  Superintendent. 
4.     The  quarterl}'  conference  shall   have  power 
to  dismiss  a  superintendent  for  immoral  condu(5l, 
heresy,  or  insubordination. 

Section  V. 

SABBATH-SCHOOLS   AND    THE   MISSIONARY  WORK. 

Each  of  our  Sabbath  schools  is  hereby  consti- 
tuted an  auxiliary  to  the  branch  missionary  societ}', 
within  whose  limits  it  is  located;  and  the  superin- 
tendent is  expelled  to  take  a  colle(5lion  at  least 
once  each  quarter  for  the  cause  of  missions,  and. 
report  the  amount  to  the  pastor  or  branch  treas- 
urer. Any  member  may  become  a  life  member  of 
the  auxiliary  hy  the  paj'ment  of  three  dollars,  and 
shall  be  entitled  to  a  certificate  of  life  member- 
ship. 

Section  VI. 

FORM  OF  constitution  FOR  A  SABBATH-SCHOOL. 

The  following  is  recommended  as  a  suitable 
form  for  the  constitution  of  a  United  Brethren 
Sabbath-school : 

ARTICLE   I. 

This  school  shall  be  known  as  the  United  Breth 
ren  Sabbath-school  of . 

ARTICLE   II. 

The  objecft  of  the  school  shall  be  to  gather  in  all, 
both  old  and  young,  as  far  as  possible,  for  instruc- 


DISCIPLINE.  ICI 

tion  in  and  the  study  of  the  Bible,  and  to  promote 
the  worship  of  God,  and  to  secure  the  salvation  of 
precious  souls. 

ARTICLE    III, 

1.  The  officers  shall  be  the  pastor,  a  superin- 
tendent, a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  librarian,  and, 
when  desired  by  the  school,  a  chorister  and  organ- 
ist. The  duties  of  these  officers  shall  be  such  as 
usually  pertain  to  such  offices  ;  and  whenever  it  is 
generally  deemed  necessary  for  the  interests  of  the 
school,  an  assistant  may  be  elecSled  to  each  of  these 
offices,  each  ofwhom  shall  be  subje(5l  in  his  official 
duties  to  his  superior  officer,  except  in  the  absence 
of  such  superior. 

2.  There  shall  also  be  an  executive  committee 
of  three — or  five,  as  the  school  may  prefer — in- 
cluding the  superintendent  and  pastor,  who  shall 
be  members  ^.r  officio  ;  and  a  majority  of  this  com- 
mittee shall  be  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church  at . 

3.  The  superintendent,  when  at  all  possible, 
phall  be  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church, 
in  good  and  regular  standing. 

4.  When  a  superintendent  is  to  be  chosen,  the 
official  members  of  the  church  shall  present  to  the 
school  the  names  of  at  least  two  suitable  persons 
for  superintendent,  and  the  one  receiving  the  high- 
est number  of  votes  shall  be  declared  eledled;  pro- 
vided, that  the  ele(5lion  shall  be  by  ballot,  and  only 
enrolled  members  of  the  school,  above  twelve  years 
of  age,  shall  be  allowed  to  vote.     The  secretary, 


I02  DISCIPLINE. 

treasurer,  librarian,  chorister,  and  organist  shall  be 
ele(5ted  by  the  school.  The  teachers  shall  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  superintendent,  with  the  approval 
of  the  pastor. 

5.  The  pastor  of  the  church  shall  preside  at 
each  annual  ele<^lion,  whenever  praAicable,  and 
the  superintendent  or  pastor  shall  preside  at  all 
special  ele(5lions. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

Vacancies  for  unexpired  terms  shall  be  filled  in 
the  manner  and  form  as  above  provided  for  annual 
re-organization.  The  Kxecutive  Committee,  pro- 
vided for  in  Division  two,  Article  three,  shall  be, 
except  the  pastor  and  superintendent,  who  shall 
be  ex-officio  members  thereof,  chosen  annually  by 
the  officers  and  teachers  of  the  school. 

ARTICLE   V. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Kxecutive  Comrait'.ee, 
with  the  pastor  and  superintendent,  to  seledl  and 
order  suitable  literature  and  helps  for  the  school 
from  time  to  time,  and  to  devise  and  put  in  opera 
tion  plans  for  raising  necessary  funds  for  this  pur- 
pose. 

Section  VII. 

1.  All  Sabbath-schools  shall  be  governed  by  the 
foregoing  constitution,  provided,  that  any  school 
may  have  the  privilege  of  enacfting  such  bj'-laws 
for  its  better  regulation  as  will  not  confli(5l  with 
said  constitution. 

2.  The  place  of  meeting  for  the  Sabbath-school^ 
shall  be  in  the   usual   place  of  meeting   for  the 


DISCIPLI>IE.  103 

United  Brethren  church  services,  and  at  such  hours 
of  the  day  as  shall  not  interfere  with  the  other 
church- services. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 

Name. 

I.  This  society  shall  be  called  the  **  Home, 
Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  and  is  organized  for 
the  purpose  of  aiding  the  annual  conferences  in 
extending  their  missionary  labors  throughout  the 
country,  and  into  foreign  and  heathen  lands. 

Life  Members  and  Dire5iors. 

II.  The  payment  of  ten  dollars  at  one  time 
shall  constitute  a  life  member,  or  fifty  dollars  at 
one  time  a  life  diredlor.  No  certificate  of  life 
membership  or  life  dire(5lorship  shall  be  granted 
until  the  full  amount  is  paid. 

Officers. 

III.  The  oflScers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  the 
bishops  of  the  Church,  who  shall  be  officers  ex 
officio^  the  senior  bishop  being  president,  and  the 
other  bishops  ranking  as  vice-presidents  accord- 
ing to  seniority ;  also  a  secretary  and  treasurer, 
who  shall  be  eledled  every  four  years  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference.  The  General  Conference  shall 
also  ele(5l  every  four  years  seven  directors,  who, 
in  connedlion  with  the  above-named  officers,  shall 
constitute  the  Board  of  DirecSlors. 


I04  DISCIPLINE. 

Duties  of  Officers. 

IV.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings 
of  the  board,  and  shall  have  power,  in  conjuncftion 
with  the  secretary,  to  call  special  meetings.  In  the 
absence  of  the  president,  one  of  the  vice-presidents 
shall  fill  his  place. 

V.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  corre(5l  record  of 
all  the  proceedings  of  the  Society,  conducfl  its  cor- 
respondence, and  devote  himself  exclusively  to  the 
interests  of  the  Society.  He  shall  keep  a  record  of 
all  the  life  members,  life  diredlors,  legacies,  etc. 
He  shall  also  make  out  and  publish,  under  the 
direction  of  the  board,  an  annual  report  of  the 
whole  missionary  work  ;  also  a  quadrennial  report 
to  the  General  Conference.  His  salary  shall  be 
determined  by  the  board,  and  reported  to  the  en- 
suing General  Conference. 

VI.  The  treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  of  the 
society,  subje(5l  to  the  order  of  the  board,  and,  at 
the  discretion  of  the  board,  devote  himself  exclu- 
sively to  the  interests  of  the  Missionary  Society. 

Board  of  Directors. 

VII.  The  Board  of  Diredlors  shall  hold  annual 
meetings ;  have  power  to  appoint  an  executive 
committee,  consisting  of  five  members  ;  make  by- 
laws to  regulate  its  own  business ;  appropriate 
money  to  defra}'  incidental  expenses  ;  employ  mis- 
sionaries and  agents ;  open  new  missions  ;  make 
appropriations  to  mission-conferences ;  employ 
laborers  for  mission-districts ;  dissolve  mission- 
conferences  ;  fill  vacancies  in  its  own   body  ;  in 


DISCIPLINE.  105 

connecflion  with  the  bishops  or  any  one  of  them, 
ordain  ministers  to  the  office  of  elder ;  and  pub- 
lish, at  our  own  press,  such  matter  as  the  cause 
may  from  time  to  time  demand. 

Mission  DistriEls. 

VIII.  A  mission-distri(5l  shall  consist  of  two  or 
more  fields  of  labor,  outside  the  bounds  of  an  an- 
nual conference.  Its  annual  sessions  shall  be  pre- 
sided over  by  a  bishop,  or  an  elder  appointed  by 
the  Board  of  Missions.  At  these  annual  meetings 
the  boundaries  of  fields  of  labor  shall  be  fixed,  the 
character  of  members  examined,  preachers  may  be 
received,  examined  and  passed  on  course  of  read- 
ing, and  be  ordained.  A  presiding  elder  may  be 
eledled,  if  the  Board  of  Missions  so  advise,  and 
ministers  appointed  to  fill  the  fields  of  labor  by  the 
presiding  officer  and  the  presiding  elder. 

ilissi07iaries, 

IX.  Each  missionary  in  the  employ  of  the  board 
shall  report  quarterly  to  the  secretary  the  condition 
of  his  mission;  and  no  missionary  shall  be  entitled 
to  his  salary  who  shall  neglect  to  cqmply  with  this 
requirement,  or  leave  his  work  without  the  consent 
of  the  Executive  Committee  or  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions, or  his  presiding  elder.  The  presiding  elders 
of  mission-conferences  shall  report  quarterly  the 
condition  of  their  respe<5live  works. 

Branch  Officers. 

X.  Each  conference  shall  be  considered  a  branch 
of  this  society,  and  shall  ele<5l  a  treasurer  and 
secretary. 


Io6  DISCIPLINE. 

Treasurer. 

1.  The  branch  treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds 
designed  for  the  board,  subje(5l  to  its  order. 

Secretary. 

2.  The  branch  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  annual  conference  in  rela- 
tion to  home,  frontier,  and  foreign  missions,  sepa- 
rately, and  report  the  same  imviediately  after  the 
session  of  the  conference  to  the  secretary  of  the 
board.  He  shall  report  the  niimber  of  missions, 
appointments,  meeting-houses,  members  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  year,  members  received,  and  mem- 
bers remaining ;  Sabbath -schools,  scholars,  and 
teachers  ;  what  paid  on  missions  as  salary,  what 
colle(5led  for  missions  on  missions;  what  colle(5led 
for  missions  in  the  whole  conference  ;  how  much 
paid  the  parent  board,  and  how  much  paid  to  home 
missions  ;  and  the  names  and  post-qffi.ce  addresses 
of  life  directors  and  life  members.  The  branch 
secretaries  shall  be  responsible  to  their  respe(5live 
annual  conferences  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
their  duties. 

Obj'eB  of  Coniribt(tio7is. 

XI.  The  branch  societies,  or  individual  mem- 
bers, may  specify  to  what  particular  portion  of  the 
work  their  funds  shall  be  applied  ;  provided,  how- 
ever, that  if  more  is  thus  designated  than  is  neces- 
sary for  the  work  specified,  it  may  be  applied  to 
some  other  work,  as  the  board  shall  determine. 

Home  Missions. 

XII.  Kach  branch  society-  shall  have  the  exclu- 


DISCIPLINE.  107 

vsive  management  of  the  home  missions  within  its 
own  limits  ;  provided,  however,  that  the  mission- 
aiy  board  shall  be  permitted  to  open  and  operate 
missions  within  the  bounds  of  any  annual  confer- 
ence, jointly  or  independently,  by  the  consent  of 
such  conference. 

Treasurer'' s  Security  to  Boards. 

XIII.  Treasurers  of  the  parent  board  and  of 
the  branch  society  shall  give  approved  security. 

Bequests. 

XIV.  All  bequests  and  donations,  the  interest 
of  which  is  to  go  to  missionary  purposes,  made  to 
any  of  the  above  societies,  shall  be  kept  sacred. 

Mission-  Conferences, 

XV.  No  mission-conference  shall  be  formed 
with  less  than  ten  ministers  and  eight  hundred  lay 
members;  and  any  territory  hereafter  occupied 
with  less  than  the  above  number  of  members  shall 
be  constituted  a  mission-distri(5l. 

Formation  of  Self-supporting  Conferences. 

XVI.  The  bi,)hops  shall  recommend  annually 
to  the  Board  of  Miseions  which,  if  any,  mission- 
conferences  shall  become  self-sttpporting,  and  on 
the  approval  of  the  Board  of  Missions  shall  give 
notice  to  said  conference  one  year  before  being 
made  self-supporting. 

Territo7y  of  Mission-Conferences. 

XVII.  The  Board  of  Missions  is  permitted  to 
occupy  any  territor}'  within  the  bounds  of  an  an- 
nual conference  not  occupied  by  said  conference. 


loS  DISCIPLINE., 

Local  Societies, 

XVIII.  Section  i.  I^ocal  societies  may  be  or- 
ganized in  any  United  Brethren  congregation  by 
securing  names  and  ele<5ting  officers. 

Sec.  2.  The  officers  of  these  societies  shall  be 
a  president,  vice-president,  secretary,  and  treas- 
urer. 

Sec.  3.  The  obje(5l  of  these  societies  shall  be  *o 
enlist  and  educate  the  membership,  especially  'he 
young  people,  in  missionary  work  in  the  home 
and  foreign  field. 

Sec.  4.     The  treasurer  shall  hold  all  the  funds  of 
the  society  and  transmit   the   same   through    he 
pastor  of  the  charge  annually  to  the  branch  so 
ciety. 

Sec.  5.  Any  person  may  become  a  member  of  a 
local  society  upon  such  terms  as  said  society  shall 
designate. 

Sec.  6.  All  societies  shall  hold  quarterly  meet 
ings  for  the  purpose  of  transadling  business,  secur, 
ing  money,  and  cultivating  a  spirit  of  Christia:, 
missions. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

WOMAN'S  MISSIONARY   ASSOCIATION. 

Articles  of  Incorporation^ 

1.  The  name  by  which  this  corporation  shall  be 
known  is,  "The  Woman's  Missionary  Association 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  and  the  said 
organization  is  not  for  profit. 

2.  The  principal  business  of  the  said  corporation 


DISCIPLINE.  TO9 

is  to  be  transacted  in  the  city  of  Dayton,  county  of 
Montgomery,  State  of  Ohio. 

3.  Said  corporation  is  formed  for  the  purpose  of 
engaging  and  uniting  the  efiforts  of  women  in  send- 
ing missionaries  into  the  foreign  and  domestic  fields 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  supporting  said 
missionaries  and  other  laborers  in  said  mission- 
fields,  and  in  securing  by  "gift,  bequest,  and  other- 
wise, the  funds  necessary  for  the  purpose  afore- 
said. 

4,  Said  corporation  is  not  to  have  capital  stock. 

BY-LAWS. 

BY-LAW  I. 

Membership. 
The  payment  of  one  dollar  annually  shall  consti- 
tute membership  in  the  association,  and  the  pay- 
ment of  ten  dollars  at  one  time,  life  membership. 
The  payment  of  twenty-five  dollars  at  one  time  shall 
constitute  the  donor  a  life  direclor.  By  the  install- 
ment plan  the  payment  of  two  dollars  annually 
for  five  years  constitutes  life  membership,  or  five 
dollars  annually  for  five  years  a  life  direclorship. 
A  certificate  is  given  at  the  time  of  payment  in 
full. 

BY-LAW   II. 

Orga7iization, 
The  organization  of  this  society  shall  consist  of 
a  board  of  managers,  nine  trustees,  and  branch  and 
local  associations,  to  be  organized  under  the  con- 
stitution hereto  attached. 


no  DISCIPLINE. 

BY-LAW   IIL 

Board  of  Managers. 

The  Board  of  Managers  shall  consist  of  three 
delegates  from  each  branch  association,  who  shall 
be  elected  at  the  branch  annual  meeting,  held 
within  three  months  of  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
board.  Said  board  shall  meet  in  the  First  United 
Brethren  Church  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  at  the  time  of 
the  meeting  of  the  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign 
Missionary  Society,  in  May,  1876,  and  annually 
thereafter,  at  such  time  and  place  as  they  may  from 
time  to  time  designate. 

The  duties  of  said  board  shall  be  advisory  to 
trustees.  Life  dire(5lors  of  the  association  shall  be 
regarded  as  advisory  members  of  the  Board  'of 
Managers. 

BY-LAW    IV. 

Duties  of  the  Board  of  Truslees.^- 
The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  power  to  selecfl 
locations  for  missions,  appoint  missionaries,  ap- 
propriate the  funds  of  the  association  as  the  inter- 
est of  the  cause  may  demand,  and  attt^md  to  the 
administration  and  general  management  of  the 
affairs  of  the  association. 

BY-LAW  V. 

Relation  of  the  Society  to  the  Church. 
This    society  shall  work    in    harmon}'  with   the 

♦Trustees  to  be  elecfled  by  members  of  the  association, 
who  shall  vote  either  in  person  or  by  proxy,  the  first 
Thursday  in  June,  in  the  city  of  Dayton.  The  officers 
shall  be  eledled  by  the  trustees. 


DISCIPLINE.  :il 

Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  under  the 
direction  of  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church; 
and  its  missionaries  shall  be  subjedl  to  the  same 
rules  that  govern  the  missionaries  of  the  aforesaid 
missionary  society. 

BY-LAW  VI. 

Funds. 
All  funds  coming  into  the  hands  of  the  treasurer 
of  the  association  will  be  held  subjedl  to  the  order 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees;  and  no  funds  shall  be 
disbursed  by  the  treasurer  except  upon  the  orders 
of  said  Board,  duly  signed  by  the  secretary 

BY-LAW  VII. 

Branch  Societies. 
One  branch  society  may  be  formed  within  the 
bounds  of  any  annual   conference  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  by  the  adoption  of  the  branch 
constitution. 

BY-LAW  VIII. 

Aniendvients, 

These   by-laws  may  be  altered  or   amended  at 

any  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  by 

a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

Branch  Constitution. 

article  i. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the Conference 

Branch  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

ARTICLE  II. 

The  objedl  of  this  society  is  to  aid  the  associa- 


112  DISCIPLINE. 

tion  to  awaken  an  interest  among  women  in  behalf 
of  Christian  missions,  and  to  raise  funds  for  their 
support. 

ARTICLE   III. 

The  membership  of  this  societj'  shall  consist  of 
the  members  of  the  association  within  the  limits  of 
this  conference  district. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

Sefiion  i.  The  oflficers  of  this  societ}'  shall  be 
a  president,  two  vice-presidents,  a  secretarj',  and  a 
treasurer,  who,  together,  shall  constitute  an  execu- 
tive committee  to  supervise  the  entire  work  of  the 
association  within  the  conference  distridl.  It  shall 
be  their  duty  to  make  earnest  efforts  to  secure  the 
organization  of  local  societies  in  all  the  United 
Brethren  congregations  within  the  bounds  of  the 
conference. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  dut}'  of  the  secretary  of 
this  society  to  keep  a  corre(5l  record  of  its  proceed 
ings  and  the  proceedings  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, and  transmit  a  report  of  the  same,  with  the 
number  of  members,  to  the  recording  secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Managers  at  least  ten  days  before  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  board. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to 
receive  and  hold  the  funds  of  the  society,  and  trans- 
mit the  same  semi-annually  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
board,  the  last  report  to  be  sent  in  at  least  ten  days 
before  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 

ARTICLE   V. 

This  society  shall  hold  annual  meetings  to  eledl 


DISCIPLINE.  113 

its  officers  and  members  of  the  Board  of  Managers, 
and  to  transatfl  any  business  pertaining  to  its  work, 
its  members  to  consist  of  the  officers  and  three 
delegates  from  each  local  society. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

This  society  shall  provide  for  the  expenses  of 
its  delegates  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Board 
oflNIanagers. 

ARTICLE    VII. 

Life  members  within  the  bounds  of  Con- 
ference bhall  be  regarded  as  advisory  members  of 
the  annual  meeting  of  this  societ}-. 

Local  Constitution, 
article  i. 

This  society   shall   be   called   the    Local 

Society  of Branch  Society  of  the  Woman's 

Missionary  Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ;  and  any  woman  may  become  a  member  of 
the  same  by  consenting  to  the  by-laws  of  said  asso- 
ciation. 

article  II. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  a 
pre^ident,  vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer, 
and  two  or  more  colledlors. 

article   III. 

SeHion  i.  The  duties  of  the  president  shall  be 
those  usual  to  the  office. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  vice-presi- 
dent to  assume  the  duties  of  the  president  in  her 
absence. 


114  DISCIPLINE. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to 
keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings  of  each  meeting, 
with  the  names  of  members,  and  report  quarterly 
to  the  secretary  of  the  branch  societ3^ 

Sec,  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to 
hold  all  funds  of  the  society  and  transmit  the  same 
semi-annually  to  the  treasurer  of  the  branch  so- 
ciety. 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  colle(5lors  to 
visit  members  of  the  Church  and  solicit  names, 
colledl  quarterly  dues,  and  report  the  number  of 
visits  and  amount  colle<5led  at  each  meeting. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

Any  child  may  become  a  member  of  this  society 
upon  the  payment  of —  cents  per  quarter. 

ARTICLE  V. 

This  society  shall  meet  quarterly,  and  shall 
arrange  its  year  with  reference  to  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  branch  society. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
CHURCH-ERECTION  SOCIETY. 
Name. 
I.     This  society  shall  be  known  as  "The  Church- 
Eredlion    Society   of   the   Church   of   the   United 
Brethren  in  Christ,"  and  is  organized  for  the  pur- 
pose of  aiding  feeble  churches  in  the  eredlion  of 
houses  of  worship. 

Officers. 

ARTICLE  II. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  a  pres- 


DISCIPLINE,  115 

ident,  three  or  more  vice-presidents,  a  correspond- 
ing secretary,  a  treasurer,  and  five  dire(5tors. 

The  senior  bishop  of  the  Church  shall  be  presi- 
dent, ex  officio,  the  three  or  more  other  bishops  of 
the  Church  shall  be  vice-presidents,  ex  officio,  and 
be  eligible  to  the  presidency  in  the  order  of  their 
election  to  the  office  of  bishop. 

The  corresponding  secretary  shall  be  elected  by 
the  (General  Conference. 

The  treasurer  of  the  Missionary  Society  shall  be 
the  treasurer  of  the  Church-Eredlion  Society.  The 
five  direcflors  shall  be  elected  by  the  General  Con- 
ference. These  officers  and  directors  shall  consti- 
tute a  Board  of  Directors,  and  shall  be  eledted 
every  four  years  by  the  General  Conference. 

ARTICLE   III. 

Duties  of  Officers. 

Seclion  i.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all 
meetings  of  the  board,  and  shall  have  power,  in 
conjundtion  with  the  secretary  and  two  directors, 
to  call  special  meetings.  In  the  absence  of  the 
president,  one  of  the  vice-presidents  shall  fill  his 
place. 

Sec.  2.  The  corresponding  secretary  shall  keep 
a  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  societj',  condudt 
its  correspondence,  and  devote  himself  to  the  work 
of  securing  funds,  and  otherwise  attending  to  the 
interests  of  the  society.  He  shall  also  make  up 
and  publish,  under  the  direction  of  the  board,  an 
annual  report  of  the  whole  church-ereclion  work; 
also  a  quadrennial  report  to  the  General  Conference. 


Il6  DISCIPLINE. 

Sec.  3,  The  treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  of  the 
society  subje(5l  to  the  order  of  the  board,  and  make 
and  publish  annual  reports  to  the  board,  and  quad- 
rennial reports  to  the  General  Conference. 

Sec.  4.  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  hold  annual 
meetings,  appoint  an  executive  commHtee  consist- 
ing of  the  corresponding  secretary,  treasurer,  and 
three  dire(5lors,  or  of  the  president  and  two  diredl- 
ors,  or  of  one  of  the  vice-presidents  and  two  direct- 
ors, or  of  the  president  and  one  vice-president  and 
one  diredlor;  make  by-laws  to  regulate  its  business; 
lend  money  to  churches;  appropriate  money  to  de- 
fray incidental  expenses;  fill  vacancies  in  its  own 
body,  and  publish  such  matter  from  time  tp  time  as 
the  cause  may  require. 

Sec.  5.  Each  conference  in  the  Church  is  hereby 
constituted  a  branch  of  this  society,  and  required 
to  eledl  annually  a  branch  secretary  and  a  branch 
treasurer,  who  shall  respedtively  discharge  the 
duties  usually  devolving  on  such  officers. 
Apportionment  a7id  Division. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  annual  conference 
to  make  a  judicicujs  assessment  to  the  several 
fields  of  labor  for  this  interest,  which  fund,  when 
coUedled,  shall  be  divided  equally,  ihe  branch 
treasurer  retaining  one  half  for  the  conference  and 
transmitting  the  other  half  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
parent  society;  provided,  however,  that  special 
donations  and  bequests  shall  ail  go  to  the  parent 
society  unless  the  donor  diredls  otherwise. 


UlSCIPLINE.  117 

Receipts  of  Treastirer, 

ARTICLJ5  V. 

The  treasurer  of  the  parent  Board  of   Missions 
shall  receipt  for  all  monej'^ssent  him  by  the  various 
conference  treasurers,  that  they  niaj'  make  settle- 
ment with  their  respecflive  annual  conferences. 
Application  for  Aid. 

ARTICLE  VI: 

Application  for  aid  from  this  society  must  be 
made  to  the  Board  of  Managers,  through  the 
bishop,  and  the  presiding  elder  of  the  distridl  and 
the  preaclier  in  charge  of  the  circuit,  station,  or 
mission  where  such  house  is  to  be  ere(5led,  who 
shall  state  in  writing  the  condition  of  the  local 
church  desiring  such  aid,  the  prospedls  of  success, 
and  the  security  of  the  investment. 
Return  of  Loans. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

Should  any  local  church  thus  aided  lose  its 
organization,  so  as  to  make  Llie  sale  of  such  house 
necessary,  then,  out  of  the  proceeds  of  such  sale, 
the  amount  loaned,  with  interest,  shall  be  refunded 
to  the  Church-Eredlion  Board. 

Granting  of  Loans. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Se5lion  i.  The  board  shall  make  no  appropria- 
tions where  there  is  reasonable  prospedl  that  the 
church  asking  aid  can  succeed  without  it;  or  where 
there  is  no  prospedl  of  building  up  a  good  mem- 
bership. 


Il8  DISCIPLINE. 

Sec.  2.  All  aid  rendered  shall  be  only  as  a  loan, 
the  principal  to  be  refunded  without  interest,  at 
such  times  as  the  board  may  diredl,  but  in  no  case 
for  a  longer  term  than  five  years  at  any  one  time, 
or  more  than  five  hundred  dollars  to  any  indi- 
vidual or  single  church— except  that  in  large, 
growing  towns  and  cities,  at  the  discretion  oi  the 
board,  the  amount  may  be  increased  to  $i,ooo  and 
the  time  extended  to  ten  years. 

Sec.  3.  Moneys  shall  not  be  loaned  to  any 
church  until  their  church-property  is  secured  by 
deed  as  provided  for  in  Discipline;  nor  shall 
moneys  be  loaned  to  churches  until  their  trustees 
have  forwarded  an  abstradl  of  the  title  of  their 
property  and  their  notes,  secured  by  first  mortgage 
on  the  premises  and  properly  recorded  in  the 
records  of  the  courts  for  the  inspe(5lion  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  or  Executive  Committee. 
Insurance. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

The  trustees  of  churches  which  receive  moneys 

from  the  Church-Krecflion  Society  shall  be  required 

to  secure  said  church -buildings  from  loss  by  fire  in 

some  reliable  insurance  company. 

ARTICLE  X. 

Special  Agenis. 

The  Board  of  Managers  may  employ  one  or 
more  special  agents;  provided,  however,  that  said 
agenc3^  shall  not  be  continued  for  a  longer  term  than 
three  months,  unless  it  be  apparent  that  said  agency 
is  a  moneyed  success  to  the  vsociety. 


DISCIPLINE.  119 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

PRIXTING    K.STABLIvSHMENT. 

Name. 

1.  The  above  establishment  shall  be  called 
"The  Printing  Kstablishment  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ." 

EleBion  of  Officers. 

2.  The  legislative  authority  herein  granted  shall 
be  vested  in  the  General  Conference  of  said  church, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  elecfl  the  necessary  offi- 
•^ers  not  otherwise  provided  for,  and  make  or 
amend  any  rules  as  in  their  judgment  may  seem 

expedient. 

Proceeds. 

3.  The  proceeds  of  said  establishment,  over 
and  above  contingent  expenses,  shall  be  applied 
to  the  benefit  of  traveling  and  worn-out  preachers, 
and  their  widows  and  orphans.  The  distribution 
of  any  available  profits  of  the  publishing  house  for 
this  purpose  shall  be  in  proportion  to  the  number 
of  regular  ministers  in  each  annual  conference  who 
■\XQ.iiineranis^  according  to  the  "Itinerant  Plan" 
of  the  Discipline.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secre- 
taries of  the  annual  conferences  each  year  to  report 
to  the  publishing  agent  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  the  true 
number  of  such  itinerants  as  found  upon  the  records 
of  the  several  conferences  ;  also  the  name  and  ad- 
dress of  the  conference  treasurer  appointed  to  re- 
ceive the  dividend  awarded  to  his  conference. 

Triislcez. 

4.  A  board  of  nine  trustees,  ele(5led  by  the  Gen- 


I20  DISCIPLINE. 

eral  Conference,  shall  take  the  oversight  of  the 
establishment.  The}'  shall  meet  annuallj',  and 
oftener  if  need  be,  on  the  call  of  the  president,  in 
the  publishing  house  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Officers. 

5.  The  officers  of  the  establishment  shall  con- 
sist of  nine  trustees,  one  agent,  and  such  number 
of  editors  as  the  General  Conference  shall  deem 
necessary. 

Duties  of  Trustees. 

6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees  to  fix  the 
salaries  of  agent  and  editors,  to  make  settlement 
with  the  officers  of  the  establishment  every  six 
months,  and  see  that  they  properly  discharge  their 
duties,  and,  if  found  dereli(5l,  may  suspend  them 
from  office  until  the  General  Conference  ;  provided, 
no  such  officers  shall  be  suspended  until  they  have 
been  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  complaints  in 
writing,  and  have  had  an  opportunity  of  defense 
before  the  Board  of  Trustees.  They  shall  also 
have  the  privilege  of  making  any  by-laws  which 
may  seem  expedient  for  the  better  regulation  of 
the  minor  concerns  of  the  office;  provided,  the}"^ 
do  not  violate  any  part  of  the  foregoing  rules. 
They  shall  eledl  an  executive  committee,  a  major- 
ity of  which  shall  consist  of  members  of  the 
board.  This  committee  shall  take  oversight  of 
the  house  during  the  intervals  of  the  meetings  of 
the  board,  and  examine  the  books  and  accounts  of 
the  establishment  every  six  months. 


DISCIPLINE.  121 

Duties  of  Agefit. 

7.  It  shall  be  tlie  duty  of  the  agent  to  take 
charge  of  the  temporal  concerns  of  the  office, 
furnish  such  material  as  may  be  needed,  and  to 
a(5l  as  the  general  book  agent  under  the  dire(5lion 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  He  shall  prepare  and 
publish  a  report  annually,  through  the  Reli^iojis 
Telescope  and  Joyful  Messenger,  and  shall  also 
make  a  report  to  the  General  Conference.  It  shall 
be  his  duty  to  make  arrangements  for  verbaliyn 
reports  of  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence for  publication. 

Vacancies. 

8.  Should  a  vacancy  occur  in  any  of  the  oflBces 
of  the  establishment,  or  in  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
the  trustees  may  fill  said  vacancy,  until  the  sitting 
of  the  next  General  Conference. 

Employment  of  Time. 

9.  No  editor  or  officer  employed  in  the  estab- 
lishment shall  accept  any  office  or  engage  in  any 
business  which  will  interfere  with  the  duties  of 
his  oflSce. 

CHAPTER   XX. 

EDUCATIONAL.  INSTITUTIONS. 
I.      BOARD   OF   EDUCATION. 

Se5iion  i.  There  shall  be  a  general  board  of 
education,  known  by  the  name  of  "The  Board  of 
Education,"  under  the  care  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence o£  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ.     This  board  shall  consist  of  twelve  mem- 


122  DTSCIPLINE. 

bers,  elecfled  by  the  General  Conference,  who  shall 
hold  office  for  four  j^ears,  six  of  whom  shall  be 
clergymen;  the  remainder  may  be  lay  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church.  Five  members,  in- 
cluding the  president  or  vice-president,  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum. 

Officers. 

Sec.  2.  The  officers  shall  be  a  president,  vice- 
president,  recording  secretary,  corresponding  sec- 
retary, and  treasurer.  These  shall  be  ele(5led  b}' 
the  members  of  the  board  at  their  first  regular 
meeting  after  the  sitting  of  the  General  Conference, 
and  shall  hold  office  until  the  next  regular  session 
of  the  General  Conference. 

The  board  may  eledl  any  competent  persons, 
members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  to  be 
their  treasurer  and  corresponding  secretary;  these, 
if  eledled  outside  of  the  board,  shall  be  advisory 
members  of  the  board. 

The  corresponding  secretary  is  to  devote  such 
portion  of  his  time  to  the  work  of  the  board  as  it 
may  diredl,  his  compensation  to  be  fixed  by  the 
board. 

In  case  of  vacancy  occurring  in  the  board,  b}' 
death  or  otherwise,  the  board  shall  have  power  to 
fill  the  vacancy,  the  election  to  be  by  ballot,  and 
the  person  eledled.  to  hold  office  until  the  next 
meeting  of  the  General  Conference. 

There  shall  be  at  least  one  session  of  the  board 
each  year.  Meetings  of  the  board  shall  be  called 
by  the  president,  iipon  request  of  three  members. 


DISCIPLINE.  123 

ObjeEls. 

Sec.  3.     The  objects  of  this  board  shall  be: 
Beneficia  ry  A  id. 

(i.)  To  raise  funds  by  colle(5lion,  donation,  be- 
quest, or  otherwise,  to  aid  by  loan,  without  inter- 
est, as  the  Executive  Committee  may  determine,  in 
educating,  in  both  their  collegiate  and  theological 
courses,  pious  young  persons  who  are  preparing 
themselves  for  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  or 
as  missionaries  in  the  United  Brethren  Church; 
provided,  however,  the  board  shall  have  power  to 
receive  monej^and  use  it  for  other  educational  pur- 
poses, as  donors  may  direi^l. 

Publications. 

(2. )  To  seek  by  the  publication  of  tradls,  pamph- 
lets, addresses,  or  books  iipon  educational  ques- 
tions, to  diffuse  among  our  members  a  more  general 
knowledge  of  the  value  of  a  san(5lified  education  and 
of  a  well-instru(5led  ministry,  and  thereby  awaken 
in  them  a  better  appreciation  of  our  institutions  of 
learning,  and  of  the  obligations  resting  upon  them 
to  give  of  their  substance  for  their  support. 
Reports  and  Recommendations. 

(3.)  To  make  an  annual  report  of  the  condition, 
financially  and  otherwise,  of  the  colleges  and  other 
educational  institutions  of  the  Church  ;  to  make 
such  recommendations  to  the  managers  of  these 
institutions  as  will  tend  to  make  them  more  effi- 
cient ;  to  secure,  as  far  as  may  seem  desirable, 
harmony  of  courses  of  study  between  preparatory 
schools,  and  colleges  and  universities. 


124  DISCIPLINE. 

(4. )  To-  discourage  the  multiplication  of  schools 
and  colleges  when  they  cannot  be  properly  sup- 
ported. Conferences,  or  a  conference,  wishing  to 
establish,  relocate  or  change  the  grade  of  a  school, 
shall  first  counsel  with  the  Board  of  Education, 
both  as  to  the  advisability  of  the  aA  proposed,  and 
also  as  to  method  and  location,  and  any  school 
started  without  the  sandlion  of  this  board  shall  not 
be  recognized  as  a  Church-school. 
Colle5lions. 

4.  To  accomplish  these  results,  the  board  may 
cause  an  annual  colle(5lion  to  be  taken  on  the  next 
Sabbath  following  the  last  Thursday  of  January,  or 
at  such  other  time  as  the  presiding  elder  of  the  dis- 
tri<5l  may  deem  most  suitable.  The  preacher  in 
charge,  or  some  other  competent  person,  shall  first 
preach  a  sermon  or  make  appropriate  remarks  con- 
cerning the  objedl,  plans,  and  working  of  this 
board,  and  then  take  a  colledlion  in  such  manner 
as  will  secure  the  largest  amount  of  funds.  If  the 
board  thinks  best,  it  may  apportion  the  amount  to 
be  raised  by  the  various  conferences,  accordiug  to 
their  number  and  ability,  and  these  in  turn  shall 
apportion  to  their  respedlive  fields  of  labor,  and 
the  funds  thus  raised  shall  be  sent  to  the  treasurer 
of  the  board. 

Recotnmendation  for  Aid. 

5.  Young  persons  aided  by  this  board  must 
first  be  recommended  as  suitable  persons  to  receive 
aid,  by  the  conference  in  whose  bounds  they  live, 
or  to  which  they  belong,  or  by  the  Board  of  Mis- 

\ 


DISCIPLINE.  125 

sions  when  the  applicant  does  not  reside  within 
the  bounds  of  any  conference,  or  by  an  educa- 
tional committee  appointed  by  said  conference,  to 
whom  all  requests  for  aid,  not  a(5led  upon  by  con- 
ference, or  which  shall  occur  during  the  interim  of 
its  sittings,  shall  be  referred. 

Honorary  Members. 

6.  The  board  shall  have  power  to  make  per- 
sons honorary  members  of  the  same  on  the  pay- 
ment of  fifty  dollars.  The  persons  thus  made 
honorary  members  shall  have  the  right  to  sit  in 
the  meetings  of  the  board  and  engage  in  its  delib- 
erations, but  shall  have  no  right  to  vote. 

Ex  ecu  live  Com  m  it  tee. 

7.  The  board  shall  have  power  to  appoint  an 
executive  committee  from  its  own  body,  and  to 
make  such  by-laws  to  regulate  its  own  proceed- 
ings, and  to  effei5lually  accomplish  the  obje<5l  of  its 
creation,  as  shall  not  be  inconsistent  with  this 
constitution. 

Quadrennial  Report. 

8.  The  board,  through  its  corresponding  sec- 
retary, shall  make  to  the  General  Conference  a 
report  of  all  the  work  done  during  the  preceding 
four  years,  including  mone)'^  received  by  collec- 
tions, bequests,  or  otherwise,  the  amount  paid  out, 
and  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  paid.  The  board 
may  propose  to  the  General  Conference,  from  time 
to  time,  such  plans  as  it  may  consider  useful  or 
necessary  for  the  success  of  the  work  commiLLed 
to  it. 


126  DISCIPLINE. 


Amendment. 


9.  No  addition  or  amendment  to  the  provisions 
of  this  constitution  shall  be  made  unless  by  consent 
of  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  General  Con- 
ference present  at  any  of  the  sessions.  Notice  of 
this  proposed  addition  or  amendment  shall  have 
been  given  at  least  one  day  previous. 

II.       ACADEMIES. 

In  this  day  of  excellent  high  school  systems  in 
many  parts  of  our  country,  academies  should  be 
located  very  judiciously,  and  should  confine  their 
courses  of  study  to  such  branches  of  learning  as 
will  prepare  for  entrance  upon  the  freshmen  or 
sophomore  year  of  the  best  colleges.  A  first-class 
academy  is  exceedingly  better  than  a  second  or 
third-class  college.  Any  institution  that  does  not 
succeed  as  an  academy  is  not  likely  with  similar 
facilities  to  prosper  as  a  college.  No  new  academy 
should  be  undertaken  with  a  less  sum  than  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars. 

III.      COLLEGES. 

I.  The  success  of  our  church  work  is  connedled 
very  vitally  with  the  colleges  of  the  Church.  In 
these  our  youth  are  developed  and  equipped  in 
mind  and  heart  for  the  work  of  efficient  service  to 
humanity. 

The  ministry  and  laity  should  earnestly  use  their 
power  to  have  as  many  young  people  as  possible 
attend  our  own  institutions  of  learning  and  to 
encourage  persons  to  give  liberally  of  their  means 


DISCIPLINE.  127 

for  the  more  thorough  establishment  and  equip- 
ment of  our  educational  institutions. 

2.  For  the  purpose  of  greater  unity  and  efficiency 
in  our  educational  work,  the  General  Conference 
recommends  that  the  length  of  a  course  of  study 
leading  to  degrees  be  three  years  in  the  prepara- 
tory department  and  four  years  in  the  college,  and 
asks  all  the  schools  in  the  Church  to  adopt  this 
standard  as  soon  as  possible. 

3.  No  college  should  be  founded  without  an 
imperative  necessity,  and  with  a  less  sum  of  money 
than  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  of  which  fifty 
thousand  dollars  shall  be  a  permanent  and  pro- 
ducflive  endowment.  As  to  Christian  education, 
the  divine  word  aptly  declares:  ''Wisdom  is  a 
defense,  and  money  is  a  defense:  but  the  excell- 
ency of  knowledge  is,  that  wisdom  giveth  life  to 
them  that  have  it." 

IV.       UNION   BIBLICAL  SEMINARY. 

1.  This  institution  of  sacred  learning,  located  at 
Dayton,  Ohio,  is  maintained  by  the  United  Breth  • 
ren  in  Christ  for  the  purpose  of  educating  persons 
called  of  God  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  among  men.  It 
shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  by  which 
the  officers  shall  be  eledled  at  each  quadrennial 
session. 

Direclors. 

2.  The  Board  of  Dire(5lors  shall  be  composed  of 
fifteen  trustees,  ten  of  whom  shall  be  elecfted  by 


128  DISCIPLINE. 

the  General  Conference,  and  five  of  whonj.  shall  be 
ele(5led  by  the  Board  of  Directors  for  a  term  of  two 
years  each,  and  the  bishops  of  the  Church,  who 
shall  be  considered  as  ex-officio  members  ;  pro- 
vided always,  that  a  majority  of  the  trustees  thus 
ele<5led  must  be  bona  fide  residents  of  the  State  of 
Ohio. 

Duties  of  DireElors. 

3.  The  Board  of  Dire<5lors  shall  meet  on  the  call 
of  the  senior  bishop  immediately  after  their  elec- 
tion, and  organize  by  ele(5ling  a  president  and 
secretary.  They  shall  meet  annually  in  the  semi- 
nary building  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  ele(5l  the  necessary 
faculty,  review  the  work  of  the  General  Manager 
and  the  faculty,  determine  their  salaries,  and  give 
general  direcftions  to  the  management  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

The  Board  of  Directors  may  fill  any  vacancy 
caused  by  the  resignation,  removal,  or  refusal  to 
serve  of  the  General  Manager  or  trustees. 

The  Board  shall  annually  eledl  an  executive 
committee  of  five  persons,  who  shall  meet  on  the 
call  of  the  General  Manager  and  diredl  in  the  exe- 
cution of  orders  and  plans  of  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors. 

The  Board  of  Directors  shall  make  to  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  a  report  of  its  work,  giving  such 
fa(5ls  in  connec5lion  with  the  seminary  as  it  may 
deem  of  importance. 

Ge?ieral  Jfanager. 

4.  The  General  Manager  shall  reside  in  Dayton, 


DISCIPLINE.  1-9 

Ohio,  and  shall  manage  the  assets  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Executive  Committee,  have  charge  of 
all  the  property,  and  manage  the  business  of  the 
institution.  He  shall  solicit,  and,  by  the  consent 
and  approval  of  the  Board  of  Diredlors,  or  Execu- 
tive Committee,  employ  others  to  solicit  contribu- 
tions to  the  seminary.  In  the  name  of  the  Union 
Biblical  Seminary,  and  under  its  incorporate  seal, 
the  General  INIanager  shall  execute  all  deeds  of 
transfer  and  other  legal  documents  which  may  be 
authorized  by  the  Board  of  Directors  or  its  Execu- 
tive Committee.  He  shall  report  to  the  Board  of 
Dire(5lors  annuall}',  and  to  the  General  Conference, 
an  account  of  all  receipts  and  expenditures,  and  the 
general  standing  of  the  institution,  with  any  other 
important  fa(5ls  or  recommendations. 
Support  of  the  Seminary. 

5.  All  mone3's  or  values  of  any  kind  given  to 
the  seminary  as  an  endowment  shall  be  held  sacred 
as  a  permanent  fund  and  securely  invested,  the 
interest  only  to  be  used  in  the  maintenance  of  the 
seminary.  All  other  funds  shall  be  used  as  the 
interests  of  the  seminarv  may  require  or  as  the 
donor  may  dire(5l. 

Annual  Colle^lions. 

6.  An  equitable  annual  apportionment  for  the 
support  of  the  seminary  shall  be  made  to  the 
several  annual  conferences  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence, or,  under  itsdirevflion,  by  the  Bo.rd  of  Diretft- 
ors,  and  these  sums  shall  be  apportioned  to  the 
several  charges,  to  be  coUedled  by  the  pastors,  and 


130  DISCIPLINE. 

reported  to  their  respedlive  conferences.  Ten  per 
cent  of  the  funds  thus  secured  may  be  used  for  the 
support  of  the  libraries  in  the  seminary. 

Obligation  of  Faculty. 

7.  Bach  professor  chosen  to  any  chair  in  the 
seminary  shall,  upon  the  day  of  his  inauguration, 
publicly  subscribe  to  the  following  declaration  of 
faith  and  obligation : 

I  solemnly  declare,  in  the  presence  of  God  and 
the  officers  of  Union  Biblical  Seminary,  that  I 
believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, to  be  the  inspired  word  of  God,  and  with 
the  Holy  Spirit,  the  only  perfedl  rule  of  faith  and 
pradlice.  I  believe  in  the  confession  of  faith,  as 
contained  in  the  thirteen  articles  in  our  Book  of 
Discipline,  to  be  a  truthful  consensus  of  the  fund- 
amental do(5lrines  of  the  Bible.  I  believe  the  sys- 
tem of  church  government,  as  presented  in  the 
Book  of  Discipline  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  is  consistent  with  the  teachings  of  the 
Sacred  Scriptures,  and  I  solemnly  promise  that  I 
will  not  teach  or  insinuate  anything  which  shall 
in  any  way  be  inconsistent  with  this  declaration 
or  that  which  is  not  in  harmony  with  the  constitu- 
tion and  confession  of  faith  and  the  rules  of  the 
Church  as  set  forth  in  the  Discipline  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ.  I  also  promise,  by  divine 
assistance,  to  the  best  of  my  ability  to  sustain  the 
do(5lrines  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  thus  set  forth 
by  the  Church  in  opposition  to  all  forms  of  error, 


DISCIPLINE.  131 

and  this  so  long  as  I  shall  remain  a  professor  in 
this  institution. 

(Name) 


V.      SPECIAL  EFFORT   FOR   EDUCATIONAL    INSTITU- 
TIONS. 

In  view  of  the  urgent  financial  needs  of  the  in- 
stitutions of  learning  throughout  the  Church,  the 
General  Conference  recommends  that  the  quadren- 
niuni  of  1S89-1893  be  devoted  to  a  special  efifort  on 
the  part  of  the  authorities  and  patrons  to  free 
these  various  institutions  from  debt,  and  secure 
them  a  complete  endowment  and  equipment;  and 
that  th^  bishops  give  special  aid  to  this  endeavor 
by  solicitation,  public  address,  and  writing.  Agents 
of  the  respedlive  institutions  should  confine  them- 
selves as  much  as  possible  to  the  bounds  of  their 
co-operating  territories. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

1.  The  Historical  Societj'  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  located  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
having  for  its  objecfl  the  colledling  and  preserving 
of  papers,  records,  books,  and  other  materials 
bearing  upon  the  history  of  the  Church,  has  the 
recognition  of  the  General  Conference. 

2.  Said  society  shall,  through  its  officers,  make 
quadrennial  reports  to  the  General  Conference. 


132  DISCIPLINE. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
BOUNDARIES. 
Section  i. 

BISHOPS'  districts. 

East  District. 
Pennsylvania,    East     Pennsylvania,    Maryland, 
East  German,   Virginia,    Parkersburg,  Allegheny, 
Erie,  and  Tennessee  conferences. 

Nor i Incest  DlstriEl. 
Michigan,    St.    Joseph,     U-pper    Wabash,     Rock 
River,    North    Michigan,    Wisconsin,    INIinnesoia, 
Iowa,  Des  Moines,  Elkhorn  and  Dakota,  Wevst  Ne- 
braska, and  Colorado  conferences. 
Soiithzvest  Distrin. 
Arkansas    Valley,    Neosho,    Kansas,    Northwest 
Kansas,      Southern      Missouri,      Illinois,      Lower 
Wabash,    White    River,    Indiana,  Central   Illinois, 
and  East  Nebraska  conferences. 
Ohio  DisiriEl. 
Scioto,  Sandusk}',  Miami,  Auglaize,    Ohio   Ger 
man,  Ontario,  North  Ohio,  East  Ohio,   Kentucky, 
and  Central  Ohio  conferences. 

Pacific  DistriH. 
California,  Oregon,     and    Walla  Walla    confer- 
ences.*. 

Foreign  Missionary  Disiri^. 
Sherbro  Mission  Distri(5t,  West  Africa;  Germany 
Mission  Distridl. 


Note. — In  the  stationing  of  the  bishops  they  were  not 
confined  to  these  distri(5ts,  except  in  the  case  of  the  Pacific 
District,  b\it  were  directed  to  attend  the  conferences  in 
rotation.— [liDiTOi^. 


DISCIPLINE.  133 

Sectiox  II. 

ANNUAL  CONFERENCES. 

A  llegheny. 
Beginning  at  the  south-west  corner  of  Mercer 
County,  Pennsj'lvania;  thence  along  the  southern 
line  of  Mercer  and  Venango  counties  to  Clarion 
County  ;  thence  north  along  the.  eastern  line  of 
Venango  County  to  Warren  County  ;  thence  along 
the  southern  line  of  Warren,  McKean,  and  Potter 
counties  ;  thence  north  along  the  eastern  line  of 
Potter  County ;  thence  along  the  state  line  be- 
tween New  York  and  Pennsylvania  to  the  north- 
east corner  of  Bradford  County  ;  thence  south  along 
the  eastern  line  of  Bradford,  Sullivan,  and  Lycom- 
ing county-lines  to  the  Susquehanna  River  ;  thence 
down  the  said  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  Juniata 
River ;  thence  up  the  Juniata  River  to  the  Tusca- 
rora  Mountains  ;  thence  south  along  the  summit  of 
the  Tuscarora  Mountains  to  the  state  line  between 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania ;  thence  along  the 
southern  boundary  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  state  ;  thence  northward  along 
the  western  line  of  Pennsylvania  to  place  of  be- 
ginning. 

Arkansas  Valley. 

Beginning  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Neosho 
Conference  ;  thence  west  to  Colorado  line  ;  thence 
south  to  the  south  line  of  Oklahoma  Territory ; 
thence  east  along  the  south  line  of  said  territory 
to  the  west  line  of  Neosho  Conference  ;  thence 
north  to  the  place  of  beginning. 


131.  DISCIPLINE. 

Auglaize. 

Beginning  at  Union  City,  Indiana  ;  thence  west 
with  the  Bellefontaine  &  Indianapolis  Railroad,  to 
Winchester  ;  thence  on  a  straight  line  to  the  south- 
east corner  of  Huntington  Count}',  Indiana  ;  thence 
on  the  east  line  of  said  county  north  to  the  Wabash 
River ;  thence  down  said  river  to  the  crossing  of 
the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railroad  ;  thence 
with  said  railroad  to  Ft.  Wayne,  including  said 
city  ;  thence  along  the  line  of  North  Ohio  Confer- 
ence to  Defiance  ;  thence  along  the  line  of  San- 
dusky Conference  to  Cairo  ;  thence  on  a  straight 
line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Hardin  County, 
Ohio ;  thence  east  with  the  north  line  of  said 
county ;  thence  south  with  the  east  line  of  said 
county  to  the  southeast  corner  thereof;  thence  on 
the  north  and  east  lines  of  Union  County,  to  the 
Delaware  and  Springfield  branch  of  the  Cleveland, 
Columbus,  Cincinnati  &  Indianapolis  Railroad ; 
thence  with  said  railroad  to  Milford  Center,  Ohio; 
thence  with  the  Pan  Handle  Railroad  including 
Urbana,  Horatio,  and  Bradford;  thence  northwest 
along  the  narrow-gauge  railroad  to  Renville ;  thence 
west  on  the  Cleveland,  Columbus,  Cincinnati  & 
Indianapolis  Railroad  to  Union  Cit}',  the  place  of 
beginning.  The  Waterhouse  Chap«l  shall  still  be 
permitted  to  be  served  by  the  preacher  in  charge 
of  Hill  Grove  Circuit,  Miami  Conference. 
California. 

Includes  the  State  of  California. 
Central  Illinois. 

Bejginning  at  Peru,  on  the  Illinois  River;  thence 


DISCIPLINE  135 

Up  the  Illinois  River  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kankakee 
River;  thence  with  the  Chicago  Branch  of  the  Illi- 
nois Central  Railroad  to  Tolono  ;  thence  with  the 
Great  Western  Railway  to  Benient ;  thence  direcSl 
to  Shelbyville  ;  thence  down  the  Okaw  River  to 
Vandalia  ;  thence  direc5l  to  the  mouth  of  the  Illi- 
nois River ;  thence  up  said  river  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

Central  Ohio. 

Beginning  at  Zanesville,  on  the  Muskingum 
River;  thence  west  on  the  Maysville  pike  to  Lan- 
caster; thence  west  on  the  ^luskingum  Valley 
Railroad  to  the  east  boundary-line  of  Miami  Con- 
ference (Pontius  appointment  remaining  with  Pick- 
away Circuit);  thence  north  along  the  east  lines  of 
Miami  and  Auglaize  conferences  to  Forest,  on  the 
Pittsburg,  Fort  Wayne,  and  Chicago  Railroad; 
thence  east  along  said  road  to  the  east  line  of 
Richland  County,  to  Sandusky  Conference  (so  as  to 
retain  in  Sandusky  Conference,  Forest,  Pleasant 
Ridge,  Upper  Sandusky,  North  Robinson,  Crest- 
line, and  Osceola  circuits);  thence  south  to  the 
north- east  corner  of  Knox  County,  along  said 
county  line  of  Coshodlon  County  to  Dresden; 
thence  along  Muskingum  River  to  Zanesville,  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Colorado 

Bounded  by  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  on  the 
north,  and  by  the  state  lines  of  Colorado  on  the 
east,  south,  and  west. 


T36  DISCIPLINE. 

Dcs  Moines. 
Embraces  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Iowa  west 
of  the  Iowa  Conference  line. 

East  German  Coti/erence. 
Beginning  at  the  north-west  corner  of  Bucks 
County,  Pennsylvania;  thence  along  the  line  of  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Conference  to  the  Susquehanna 
River;  thence  up  said  river  to  the  south-west  corner 
of  Eycoming  County;  provided,  that  Snj^der  and 
Union  counties  and  that  part  of  Juniata  Count}- 
now  occupied  by  the  East  German  Conference  re- 
main in  said  conference;  thence  northward  along 
the  Allegheny  Conference  line  to  the  north-east 
corner  of  Bradford  County,  Pennsylvania;  thence 
east  along  the  state  line  between  New  York  and 
Penns)dvania  to  the  Delaware  River;  thence  down 
said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning;  provided, 
that  the  First  and  Third  churches  in  Baltimore 
remain  in  the  East  German  Conference. 

Easl  Nebraska. 

Embraces  all  that  part  of  Nebraska  south  of 
Platte  River  and  east  of  the  "West  Nebraska  Con- 
ference line. 

East  Ohio. 

Embraces  the  following:  Beginning  at  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  State  of  Ohio;  thence  south  with 
the  state  line  and  Ohio  River  to  Marietta;  thence 
up  the  Muskingum  River  to  Dresden,  (embracing 
Hanover,  opposite  Marietta);  thence  west  to  the 
south-west   comer  of  Coshoclon  County;    thence 


DISCIPLINE.  137 

dire(5lly  north  to  the  north-east  corner  of  Knox 
County;  thence  west  to  the  south-west  corner  of 
Ashland  County;  thence  north  to  the  mouth  of 
Vermillion  River;  thence  east  along  the  shore  of 
L,ake  Erie  to  the  place  of  beginning;  provided, 
that  Orangeville  Church  in  Ohio  remain  with  Erie 
Conference,  and  Beaver  Church  in  Pennsylvania 
with  East  Ohio  Conference. 

East  Pennsylvania. 
Beginning  at  the  Atlantic  Ocean;  thence  along 
the  forty-first  parallel  of  north  latitude  to  the  Del- 
aware River;  thence  down  said  river  to  the  north- 
east corner  of  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania;  thence 
along  the  north-west  boundary  line  of  said  county 
to  the  Montgomery  line;  thence  along  the  line  be- 
tween Montgomery  and  L,ehigh  counties  to  Berks 
County;  thence  along  the  line  between  Berks  and 
Montgomery  counties  to  the  north-east  corner  of 
Douglas  Township  in  Berks  County;  thence  along 
the  northern  and  western  lines  of  Douglas  Town- 
ship, the  northern  line  of  Amity  Tov/nship,  and 
the  northern  and  western  lines  of  Exeter  Town- 
ship in  Berks  County  to  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  Railroad;  thence  up  said  railroad  to  the 
upper  depot  of  the  city  of  Reading;  provided,  that 
the  cil)'  of  Reading  be  occupied  in  common  by  the 
East  Pennsylvania  and  East  German  conferences; 
thence  westward  along  the  line  of  Eebanon  Valley 
Railroad  to  the  line  between  IvCbanon  and  Dauphin 
counties;  thence  northward  and  eastward  along 
said  county  line   to   the  Schuylkill   County  line; 


138  DISCIPLINE. 

thence  northward  along  said  county  line  to  the  top 
of  Berry  Mountain;  thence  along  said  mountain  to 
the  Susquehanna  River;  thence  down  said  river 
and  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean; 
thence  northward  along  the  Atlantic  seacoast  to 
the  place  of  beginning;  provided,  that  the  towns 
of  Avon  and  Palmj'^ra  remain  in  East  German  Con- 
ference, and  Otterbein  Church  of  Harrisburg  in 
Pennsylvania  Conference. 

Elkhorn  and  Dakota, 

Commencing  at  the  mouth  of  the  Platte  River; 
north  along  the  Iowa  and  Minnesota -state  lines  to 
the  north-west  corner  of  Pipestone  County;  thence 
west  to  the  west  line  of  Dakota;  thence  south  to 
the  north  line  of  town  twenty-four  in  Nebraska; 
thence  east  on  said  line  to  the  source  of  Cedar 
River;  thence  down  said  river  to  Fullerton;  thence 
south  to  the  Platte  River ;  thence  east  along  said 
river  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Erie. 
Beginning  at  the  shore  of  I,ake  'EHfeT  at  the 
north-west  corner  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania; 
thence  south  along  the  state  line  between  Ohio  and 
Pennsylvania  to  the  south-west  corner  of  Mercer 
County,  Pennsylvania;  thence  east  with  the  line  as 
described  in  the  bounding  of  the  Allegheny  Con- 
ference to  the  New  York  state  line,  and  including 
the  State  of  New  York  and  all  that  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania embraced  within  the  above  described 
limits. 


DISCIPLINE.  139 

Illinois. 
Beginning  at  the  jundlion  of  the  Mississippi  and 
Rock  rivers;  thence  up  the  latter  stream  to  the 
crossing  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific 
Railroad;  thence  east  with  said  railroad  to  the  Illi- 
nois River;  thence  down  the  Illinois  River  to  its 
mouth;  thence  up  the  Mississippi  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

Indiana. 

Beginning  at  the  south-east  corner  of  Franklin 
County,  Indiana;  thence  along  the  line  of  the 
White  River  Conference,  as  described  in  the 
boundaries  of  that  conference,  to  the  White  River 
due  west  of  Franklin,  Indiana;  thence  down  said 
river,  and  the  Wabash,  to  the  Ohio  River;  thence 
up  said  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami 
River;  thence  up  the  state  line  between  Ohio  and 
Indiana  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
Iowa. 

Embraces  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Iowa  east 
of  the  following  boundary  line:  Beginning  at  the 
north-west  corner  of  Winnebago  County;  thence 
south  to  the  south-west  corner  of  Wright  County; 
thence  east  to  the  north-west  corner  of  Hardin 
County;  thence  south  along  the  county  line  to  the 
north  line  of  Stony  County;  thence  east  to  the 
north-east  corner  of  Marshall  County;  thence 
south  to  the  south-east  corner  of  Jasper  County; 
thence  west  to  the  south-west  corner  of  Jasper 
County;  thence  south  to  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railroad;  thence  west  along  said  railroad 


140  DISCIPLINE, 

to   the  west  line  of  lyucas  County;  thence  south 
to  the  state  line. 

Kansas. 

Beginning  at  the  south-east  corner  of  Miami 
County,  Kansas;  thence  west  to  the  center  of 
McPherson  County;  thence  north  to  the  Nebraska 
and  Kansas  line;  thence  east  to  the  Missouri  River; 
thence  on  the  Kansas  and  Missouri  line  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Lower  Wabash. 

Beginning  at  Gosport,  on  White  River;  thence 
with  the  railroad  to  Greencastle;  thence  with  the 
Indianapolis  &  Terre  Haute  Railroad  to  the  Wabash 
River;  thence  up  said  river,  so  as  to  include  Knights- 
town  and  Terre  Haute,  to  the  mouth  of  Bruletts 
Creek ;  thence  up  said  creek  to  Cherry  Point;  thence 
west  on  the  line  of  the  Indianapolis,  Decatur  & 
Springfield  Railroad,  to  and  including  Tuscola; 
thence  north  by  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  to 
Tolono;  thence  west  and  south  with  the  line  of 
Central  Illinois  Conference  to  Vandalia;  thence 
west  by  the  southern  boundry  of  Central  Illinois 
Conference  to  the  Mississippi  River;  thence  by 
way  of  the  Mississippi,  Ohio,  Wabash,  and  White 
rivers  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
Maryland. 

Knibraces  all  of  the  State  of  Maryland  not  in- 
cluded in  Pennsylvania  Conference. 
Miami. 

Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami 
River:  thence  north  on  the  line  between  Ohio  and 


DISCIPLINE.  141 

Indiana  to  Union  City,  and  to  include  that  city; 
thence  east  with  the  Cleveland,  Columbus,  Cincin- 
nati &  Indianapolis  Railroad  to  Versailles;  thence 
with  the  Toledo  8:  Northern  Narrow  Gauge  Rail- 
road to  Bedford;  thence  east  with  the  Pittsburg, 
Cincinnati  &  St.  Louis  Railway  to  the  east  line  of 
Champaign  County,  Ohio,  including  Piqua;  thence 
south  on  the  east  line  of  the.  counties  of  Cham- 
paign, Green,  Clinton,  and  a  part  of  Brown  County, 
to  Ripley;  thence  down  the  Ohio  River  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Michigan. 

Beginning  at  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  at  the  north- 
east corner  of  Monroe  County,  Michigan;  thence 
west,  on  the  north  line  of  Lenawee,  Hillsdale,  and 
Branch  counties  to  the  Grand  Rapids  &  Indiana 
Railroad;  thence  by  said  railroad  to  Kalamazoo: 
thence  by  the  South  Haven  &  Kalamazoo  Railroad 
to  South  Haven;  thence  along  the  shore  of  Lake 
Michigan  to  Grand  Haven;  thence  by  the  Detroit 
&  Milwaukee  Railroad  east  to  Detroit;  thence 
down  the  Detroit  River  and  the  western  shore  of 
Lake  Erie  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
Missouri. 

Embraces  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Missouri 
lying  north  of  the  Missouri  River. 
Minnesota. 

Embraces  all   the  State  of  Minnesota   and  the 
counties  of  Grant,  Dual,  and  Codington,  of  Dakota. 
Xeosho. 

Beginning  at  the  south-west  corner  of  Chautau- 


142  DISCIPLINE 

qua  County,  Kansas;  thence  north  to  the  south 
line  of  Kansas  Conference;  thence  due  east  to  the 
north-east  corner  of  L,inn  County;  thence  south  to 
the  state  line;  thence  south  to  the  south-east  cor- 
ner of  Indian  Territory;  thence  west  on  territory 
line  to  a  point  south  of  the  south-west  corner  of 
Chautauqua  Count}',  Kansas;  thence  north  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

North  Michigan. 
Embraces  that  part   of   the  State  of  Michigan 
north  of  the  Detroit,  Milwaukee,  and  Grand  Haven 

Railroad. 

Northwest  Kansas. 

Beginning  on  the  north  at  the  center  of  Republic 
County;  thence  south  to  the  north  line  of  Arkansas 
Valley  Conference;  thence  west  to  the  Colorado 
line;  thence  north  to  the  Nebraska  line;  thence 
east  to  the  place  of  beginning,  including  the  town 
of  Concordia. 

North  Ohio. 

Beginning  at  the  north-west  corner  o.  .^ranch 
County,  Michigan;  thence  east  on  the  north  lines 
of  Branch,  Hillside,  Lenawee,  and  Monroe  coun- 
ties, to  the  north-east  corner  of  Monroe  County; 
thence  on  the  coast  of  Lake  Erie  to  the  mouth  of 
Maumee  River;  thence  up  said  river  to  Defiance, 
Ohio,  leaving  the  city  of  Toledo  to  Sandusky  Con- 
ference; thence  up  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis,  and  Pa- 
cific Railroad,  (the  towns  which  this  line  touches 
to  be  included  within  North  Ohio  Conference)  to 
Fort  "^ayne;  thence  (leaving  Fort  Wayne  to  Au- 


DISCIPLINE.  143 

glaize  Conference)  on  the  Fort  Wayne  and  Chicago 
Railroad  to  Columbia,  Whilely  County;  thence  due 
north  to  the  line  of  Noble  County;  thence  east  to 
the  corner  of  Noble  County;  thence  north,  includ- 
ing the  Salem  appointment  within  North  Ohio 
Conference,  to  the  state  line  of  INIichigan;  thence 
west  to  the  south-west  corner  of  Branch  County; 
thence  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
Ohio  German. 

Bounded  by  the  state  lines  of  Ohio,  Kentucky, 
Indiana,  and  Illinois.  They  are  permitted  to  go 
into  any  of  the  Western  states  or  territories,  where 
doors  of  usefulness  open  unto  them,  to  labor  among 
the  German  population. 

Ontario. 

Includes  all  of  the  Province  of  Ontario,  in  the 
Dominion  of  Canada. 

Oregon. 

Includes  in  its  territory  all  that  portion  of  coun- 
try lying  west  of  the  Cascade  range  of  mountains, 
in  both  Oregon  and  Washington  Territory. 
Parkersbtirg. 

Beginning  on  the  summit  of  the  Allegheny  Moun- 
tains, at  the  line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia; thence  along  the  summit  of  said  mountains 
south-west  to  the  line  between  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina;  thence  west  on  said  line  to  the  south-west 
corner  of  the  State  of  Virginia;  thence  with  the 
Virginia  and  Kentucky  line  north  to  the  Ohio 
River;  thence  with  said  river  to  the  Pennsylvania 


144  DISCIPLINE. 

State  line;  thence  east  on  said  line  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

Pennsylvania. 

Beginning  on  the  summit  of  South  Mountain  on 
the  line  between  Mar^^land  and  Pennsj'lvania; 
thence  to  Westminister,  Maryland;  thence  to  Bal- 
timore, including  that  cit}^;  thence  along  the  Ches- 
apeake Bay  to  the  mouth  of  the  Susquehanna  River: 
thence  up  said  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  Juniata 
River,  except  that  Otterbein  Church  of  Harrisburg 
and  Deman's  Island  belong  to  Penns^'lvania  Con- 
ference ;  thence  up  the  Juniata  River  to  the  Tusca- 
rora  Mountains;  thence  along  the  summit  of  said 
mountains  to  the  line  between  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland;  thence  along  said  line  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

Rock  River. 

Beginning  at  the  jundlion  of  the  Mississippi  and 
Rock  rivers;  thence  east  with  the  north  boundary 
of  the  Illinois  Central,  Illinois,  and  Upper  Wabash 
conferences  to  the  Indiana  state  line;  thence  north 
on  said  line  to  I,ake  Michigan,  around  the  border 
of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Wisconsin  state  line; 
thence  along  said  state  line  to  the  Mississippi 
River;    thence    down    said   river  to   the   place   of 

beginning. 

Sandusky. 

Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Vermillion  River, 
on  Lake  Erie;  thence  on  an  air-line  south,  to  the 
south  west  corner  of  Ashland  County;  thence  with 
the  north  and  west  lines  of  Knox  County,  to  the 


DISCIPLINE.  145 

south- west  corner  of  said  count}';  thence  to  the 
north-west  corner  of  Trenton  Township,  Delaware 
County;  thence  to  the  south-east  corner  of  Genoa 
Township,  of  the  same  county;  thence  west  on  the 
Scioto  Conference  line,  embracing  Pleasant  Valley, 
in  IMadison  County;  thence  along  the  east  and 
north  lines  of  Union  County,  to  the  south-east 
corner  of  Hardin  County;  thence  along  the  east 
and  north  lines  of  said  county  to  the  north-west 
corner  thereof;  thence  on  a  straight  line  to  Cairo; 
thence  to  Kalida;  thence  to  Defiance;  thence  down 
the  Maumee  River,  including  all  of  the  city  of  To- 
ledo, and  along  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Erie  to 
the  place  of  beginning. 

Scioio. 

Beginning  at  Zanesville,  on  the  Muskingjm 
River;  thence  west  on  the  Maysville  pike  to  Lan- 
caster; thence  west  on  the  Muskingum  Valley 
Railroad  to  the  east  line  of  Miami  Conference 
(Pontius  appointment  to  remain  on  Pickaway  Cir- 
cuit); thence  south,  embracing  Highland  County 
and  a  part  of  Brown  County,  to  Ripley,  on  the 
Ohio  River;  thence  up  said  river  to  the  mouth  of 
Muskingum  River;  thence  up  said  river  to  Zanes- 
ville, the  place  of  beginning. 

Soxiihern  Missouri. 

Beginaing  at  the  south-west  corner  of  the  State 

of  Missouri;  thence  running  south  along  the  line 

between   Arkansas  and    Indian  Territory  to   the 

south  line  of  the  fourth  tier  of  counties  in  Ar- 
10 


I4D  DISCIPLINE. 

kansas;  thence  east  to  the  east  line  of  the  state; 
thence  north  to  Missouri  state  line;  thence  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Missouri  River;  thence  west  with 
said  river  to  the  state  line;  thence  south  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

SI.  Joseph. 
Beginning  at  Peru,  Indiana,  on  the  Wabash 
River;  thence  up  said  river  to  Huntington;  thence 
up  the  Auglaize  Conference  line  to  Ft.  Wayne; 
thence  by  the  Pittsburg,  Ft.  Wayne  &  Chicago 
Railroad,  to  Columbia  City ;  thence  due  north  to 
the  line  of  Noble  County;  thence  east  to  the  south- 
east corner  of  said  county;  thence  north  on  the 
east  lines  of  Noble  and  I,agrange  counties  to  the 
Michigan  state  line;  thence  west  to  the  south-east 
corner  of  St.  Joseph  County;  thence  on  the  east 
and  north  lines  of  said  county  to  the  Grand  Rapids 
&  Indiana  Railroad;  thence  by  said  railroad  to 
Kalamazoo,  Michigan;  thence  by  the  Kalamazoo 
&  South  Haven  Railroad  to  L,ake  Michigan;  thence 
along  the  lake  shore  to  the  line  of  Illinois  and  In- 
diana; thence  south  to  Michigan  City;  thence  by 
the  L,afayette  &  Michigan  Citj'  Railroad  to  I,afay- 
ette,  Indiana,  Michigan  City,  and  all  towns  on  said 
railroad  to  belong  to  St.  Joseph  Conference;  thence 
along  the  Strawtown  Road,  including  the  towns 
of  Jefferson  and  Frankfort,  to  Frankfort,  Indiana; 
thence  northward  along  the  Frankfort  &  L,ogans- 
port  Railroad  to  Wildcat  River;  thence  up  said 
river  to  the  west  line  of  Howard  County;  thence 
along  the  west  and  nonh  lines  of  said  county  to 


DISCII'I.IXE.  117 

the  Indianapolis  &  Pern  Railroad;  thence  along 
said  railroad  to  Peru,  Indiana,  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. 

Te)inesse<i. 

Embraces  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Tennessee 
east  of  a  due  north  and  south  line  drawn  through 
Nashville,  the  capital  of  the  state. 
upper  WabasJi. 

Beginning  at  Gosport,  on  White  River,  to  the 
crossing  of  the  Indianapolis  &  Peru  Railroad; 
thence  on  the  Strawtown  Road  to  Lafayette;  thence 
by  way  of  Lafayette  &  Michigan  City  Railroad 
to  Michigan  City;  thence  west  to  the  Illinois  and 
Indiana  state  line  to  Kankakee  City;  thence  south 
along  the  Chicago  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad  to  Tuscola,  and  including  Tolono;  thence 
east  with  the  line  of  Lower  Wabash  Conference  to 
place  of  beginning,  including  the  towns  of  Brazil 
and  Newburg 

Virginia. 

Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  State  of 
Virginia;  thence  along  the  western  shore  of  the 
Chesapeake  Bay  to  Baltimore;  thence  to  Westmin- 
ster; thence  to  the  summit  of  the  South  Mountain, 
on  the  state  line  between  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania; thence  west  on  said  line  to  the  summit  of 
the  Allegheny  Mountains;  thence  south,  along  the 
summit  of  said  mountains,  to  the  state  line  between 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina;  thence  east  on  said 
line  to  place  of  beginning.  The  Virginia  Con- 
ference   shall   also   include   all  the    appointments 


I4S  DISCIPLINE. 

embraced  in  the  Allegheny  and  New  Germany  cir- 
cuits, now  occupied  by  the  said  conference  within 
the  limits  of  Parkersburg  Confereuce, 
IVdlla  Walla. 

Includes  all  that  portion  of  Oregon  and  Wash- 
ington Territory  lying  east  of  the  Cascade  Moun- 
tains, and  also  Idaho  Territory. 
West  Nebraska. 

Beginning  at  the  north-east  corner  of  Hamilton 
County;  thence  south  to  the  Thayer  County  line; 
thence  east  six  miles;  thence  south  to  Nebraska 
state  line;  thence  west  to  the  south-west  corner 
of  the  State  of  Nebraska;  thence  north  to  the  south- 
west corner  of  Elkhorn  and  Dakota  Conference; 
thence  east  and  south  along  the  boundary  of  said 
conference  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

White  River. 
Beginning  at  the  south-west  corner  of  Marion 
County,  Indiana;  thence  north  to  the  north-west 
corner  of  said  county;  thence  east  to  White  River; 
thence  up  said  river  to  the  crossing  of  the  Indian- 
apolis and  Peru  Railroad;  thence  along  said  rail- 
road to  the  Strawtown  and  Frankfort  road;  thence 
along  said  road  to  Frankfort,  Indiana;  thence 
north  along  the  Frankfort  and  Logansport  Rail- 
road to  the  Wildcat  River;  thence  up  said  river  to 
the  west  line  of  Howard  County,  Indiana;  thence 
along  the  west  and  north  lines  of  said  county  to 
the  Indianapolis  and  Peru  Railroad;  thence  along 
said  railroad  to  the  Wabash  River;  thence  up  said 


DISCIPLINE.  149 

river  to  the  Wells  County  line;  thence  south  to  the 
south-east  corner  of  Huntington  County;  thence 
on  a  straight  line  to  Winchester;  thence  eastward 
along  the  railroad  to  the  Ohio  and  Indiana  state 
line;  thence  south  along  the  state  line  to  the  south- 
east corner  of  Franklin  County,  Indiana;  thence 
westward  to  Greensburg;  thence  to  Columbus; 
thence  to  Nashville;  thence  west  to  White  River; 
thence  up  the  river  to  the  south  line  of  Marion 
County:  thence  west  to  the  south-west  corner  of 
said  county. 

IVi'sconsi'fi. 

Embraces  all  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 
FORMULAS. 
Section  I. 

ORDINATION  OP  ELDEHS. 

1.  On  the  day  appointed  there  shall  be  a  suita- 
ble sermon  delivered. 

2.  After  their  names  have  been  read  aloud,  the 
bishop  or  elder  shall  read  the  following  articles  to 
all  who  maj'  be  chosen  for  ordination : 

An  elder  "must  be  blameless,  as  the  steward  of 
God;  not  self  willed,  not  soon  angry,  not  given  to 
wine,  no  striker,  not  given  to  filthy  lucre;  but  a 
lover  of  hospitality,  a  lover  of  good  men,  sober, 
just,  holy,  temperate;  holding  fast  the  faithful 
word  as  he  hath  been  taught,  that  he  may  be  able 
by  sound  do<5lrine  both  to  exhort  and  to  convince 
the  gainsayers."     (Titus  i:  7-9.) 


I50  DISCIPLINE. 

Qties.  Are  you  assured  that  you  are  inwardly 
moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  take  upon  j^ou  the 
ofBce  of  the  ministr}^  to  serve  God  in  the  church 
of  Christ  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  his  holy  name  ^ 
If  so,  answer,  "  I  trust  I  am." 

Ques.  Do  you  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Old 
and  New  Testament  ?  If  so,  answer,  "  I  do  believe 
them." 

Ones.  Will  you  apply  due  diligence  to  frame 
and  fashion  your  life  according  to  the  dodlrines 
of  Christ,  and  to  make  j'ourself,  as  much  as  in  5^ou 
lieth,  a  wholesome  example  to  the  flock  of  Christ? 
If  so,  answer,  "  I  will,  the  Lord  being  my  helper." 

Ques.  Will  you  obey  them  to  whom  the  charge 
and  government  over  you  is  committed,  and  follow 
their  godly  admonitions  with  a  willing  and  ready 
mind?  If  so,  answer,  "I  will  endeavor,  through 
the  grace  of  God,  to  do  so." 

Then  prayer  is  to  be  offered. 

After  prayer,  the  bishop  and  elders  shall  lay 
their  hands  upon  the  head  of  each  of  them,  and 
say: 

Take  thou  authority  to  execute  the  office  of  an 
elder  in  the  church  of  God,  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Amen. 

Hereupon  the  bishop  or  elder  shall  deliver  to 
each  of  them  the  Holy  Bible,  sajnng: 

Take  thou  authority  to  preach  the  word  of 
God  and  administer  the  ordinances  in  the  church 
of  Christ. 


DISCIPLINE.  151 

Then  the  bishop  or  elder  shall  pray.  And  after 
prayer  he  shall  read  from  lyuke  12:  35-38: 

"  I^et  your  loins  be  girded  about,  and  your  lights 
burning;  and  ye  yourselves  like  unto  men  that 
wait  for  their  lord,  when  he  will  return  from  the 
wedding;  that  when  he  cometh  and  knocketh, 
they  may  open  unto  him  immediately'.  Blessed 
are  those  servants,  whom  the  lord  when  he  cometh 
shall  find  watching:  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  he 
shall  gird  himself,  and  make  them  to  sit  down  to 
meat,  and  will  come  forth  and  serve  them.  And  if 
he  shall  come  in  the  second  watch,  or  come  in  the 
third  watch,  and  find  them  so,  blessed  are  those 
servants." 

After  this,  the  following  benedidlion  is  to  be 
pronounced: 

The  peace  of  God  keep yonr  hearts  and  viinds  in 
the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Section  II. 

MARRIAGE  CEREMONY. 

We  are  gathered  together  in  the  sight  of  God,  and 
in  the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  to  join  t^gether 
N.  and  M.  a^  husband  and  wife.  If  any  person 
present  knows  any  just  cause  or  impediment  why 
these  persons  should  not  be  joined  in  marriage,  let 
the  same  now  speak  or  forever  after  keep  silent. 

[If  no  impediment  be  alleged,  then  shall  the 
minister  say:] 

Do  )'ou,  and  each  of  you,  in  the  sight  of  God, 
and  in  the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  covenant 
to  live  together  after  God's  ordinance  as  husband 


152  DISCIPLINE. 

and  wife,  loving,  honoring,  and  cherishing  each 
other  in  sickness  and  in  health,  in  prosperity  and 
in  adversity,  forsaking  all  others  and  cleaving  to 
each  other  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live?  If  so, 
answer,   "I  do."    Join  your  right  hands, 

"Those  whom  God  hath  joined  together,  let  no 
man  put  asunder." 

Inasmuch  as  you  have  consented  together  in 
Christian  marriage  in  the  sight  of  God  and  in  the 
presence  of  these  witnesses,  I  pronounce  you  hus- 
band and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

Section  III. 

BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

After  the  coffin  i.s  lowered  into  the  grave,  the 
minister,  if  the  deceased  is  a  child  or  an  adult 
Christian,  shall  repeat  the  following: 

"Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days, 
and  full  of  trouble.  He  cometh  forth  like  a  flower, 
and  is  cut  down:  he  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow,  and 
continueth  not."  "L,ord,  make  me  to  know  mine 
end,  and  the  measure  of  my  days,  what  it  is;  thai 
I  may  know  how  frail  I  am." 

In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death;  unto 
whom  should  we  seek  for  succor  but  unto  thee,  O 
Lord,  who  for  our  sins  art  justly  displeased?  Our 
hope  is  in  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  said,  I 
am  the  resurrection,  and  the  life:  he  that  oelieveth 
m  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live;  and 
whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  .shall  never 
die."     "For  we  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of 


DISCIPLINE.  153 

this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building 
of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens." 

"And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying  unto 
me,  Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord  from  henceforth:  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that 
they  may  rest  from  their  labours;  and  their  works 
do  follow  them." 

"There  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow, 
nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain: 
for  the  former  things  are  passed  away." 

Inasmuch  as  God  in  his  wise  providence  has 
called  out  of  time  into  eternity  the  soul  of  our 
(brother,  sister,  or  child,)  we  commit  his  (or  her) 
remains  to  the  ground,  earth  to  earth,  ashes  to 
ashes,  dust  to  dust,  in  the  confident  hope  of  the 
general  resurrecftion  through  the  I^ord  Jesus  Christ, 
at  his  coming  and  glory;  that  this  corruptible  body 
.shall  be  raised  up  and  be  fashioned  like  unto  the 
glorious  body  of  Christ,  be  reunited  with  the  soul, 
and  be  received  into  everlasting  habitations.  Amen. 

BENEDICTION. 

Section  IV. 

CHTTRCH-DEDICATION    SERVICE. 

1.  Scripture  reading  (Psalm  84  ;  or,  Isaiah  62 
and  Psalm  122.) 

2.  Singing. 

3.  Prayer, 

4.  Singing. 

5.  Sermon. 

6.  Monetary  offering. 


154  DISCIPLINE. 

7.  Singing. 

8.  Reading,  with  congregation  standing  : 

But  will  God  indeed  dwell  on  the  earth?  be- 
hold, the  heaven  and  heaven  of  heavens  cannot 
contain  thee  ;  how  much  less  this  house  that  I 
have  builded? 

"Yet  have  thou  respedl  unto  the  prayer  of  thy 
servant,  and  to  his  supplication,  O  L,ord  my  God, 
to  hearken  unto  the  cry  and  to  the  prayer,  which 
thy  servant  prayeth  before  thee  to  day  : 

"That  thine  eyes  may  be  open  toward  this  house 
night  and  day,  even  toward  the  place  of  which 
thou  hast  said,  My  name  shall  be  there  :  that  thou 
may  est  hearken  unto  the  prayer  which  th}^  servant 
shall  make  toward  this  place. 

"And  hearken  thou  to  the  supplication  of  thy 
servant,  and  of  thy  people  Israel,  when  they  shall 
pray  toward  this  place  :  and  hear  thou  in  heaven 
thy  dwelling  place,  and  when  thou  hearest,  for- 
give. 

"If  any  man  trespass  against  his  neighbour,  and 
an  oath  be  laid  upon  him  to  cause  him  to  swear, 
and  the  oath  come  before  thine  altar  in  this  house: 
then  hear  thou  in  heaven,  and  do,  and  judge  thy 
servants,  condemning  the  wicked,  to  bring  his  way 
upon  his  head;  and  justifying  the  righteous,  to  give 
him  according  to  his  righteousness. 

"When  thy  people  Israel  be  smitten  down  before 
the  enemy,  because  they  have  sinned  against  thee, 
and  shall  turn  again  to  thee,  and  confess  thy  name, 
and  pray,  and  make  supplication  unto  thee  in  this 


DISCIPLINE.  155 

house:  then  hear  thoti  in  heaven,  and  forgive  the 
sin  of  thy  people  Israel,  and  bring  them  again 
unto  the  land  which  thou  gavest  unto  their  fathers. 

"When  heaven  is  shut  up,  and  there  is  no  rain, 
because  they  have  sinned  against  thee;  if  they 
pray  toward  this  place,  and  confess  thy  name,  and 
turn  from  their  sin,  when  thou  afflidlest  them: 
then  hear  thou  in  heaven,  and  forgive  the  sin  of 
thy  servants,  and  of  thy  people  Israel,  that  thou 
teach  them  the  good  way  wherein  they  should 
walk,  and  give  rain  upon  thy  land,  which  thou 
hast  given  to  thj'  people  for  an  inheritance. 

"If  there  be  in  the  land  famine,  if  there  be  pesti- 
lence, blasting,  mildew,  locust,  or  if  there  be  cater- 
pillar; if  their  enemy  besiege  them  in  the  land  of 
their  cities;  whatsoever  plague,  whatsoever  sick- 
ness there  be;  what  prayer  and  supplication  so- 
ever be  made  by  any  man,  or  by  all  thy  people 
Israel,  which  shall  know  every  man  the  plague  of 
his  own  heart,  and  spread  forth  his  hands  toward 
this  house:  then  hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling 
place,  and  forgive,  and  do,  and  give  to  every  man 
according  to  his  ways,  whose  heart  thou  knowest; 
(for  thou,  even  thou  only,  knowest  the  hearts  of  all 
the  children  of  men;)  that  they  may  fear  thee  all 
the  days  that  they  live  in  the  land  which  thou 
gavest  unto  our  fathers. 

"Moreover  concerning  a  stranger,  that  is  not  of 
thy  people  Israel,  but  conielh  out  of  a  far  country 
for  thy  name's  sake;  (for  Ihey  shall  hear  of  thy 
great  name,  and  of  thy  strong  hand,  and  of  thy 


156  DISCIPLINE. 

Stretched  out  arm:)  when  he  shall  come  and  pray 
toward  this  house;  hear  thou  in  heaven  th}'  dwell- 
ingf  place,  and  do  according  to  all  that  the  stranger 
calleth  to  thee  for:  that  all  people  of  the  earth  may 
know  th}'  name,  to  fear  thee,  as  do  thy  people 
Israel;  and  that  they  may  know  that  this  house, 
which  I  have  builded,  is  called  by  thy  name." 
(I.  Kings  8:  27-43.) 

"We  will  go  into  his  tabernacles:  we  will  wor- 
ship at  his  footstool."     (Psalm  132:  7.) 

"For  the  !L,ord  hath  chosen  Zion;  he  hath  de- 
sired it  for  his  habitation. 

"  This  is  my  rest  for  ever:  here  will  I  dwell;  for  I 
have  desired  it. 

"I  will  abundantly  bless  her  provision:  I  will 
satisfy  her  poor  with  bread.  I  will  also  cl  Mhe  her 
priests  with  salvation:  and  her  saints  j ha' 1  shout 
aloud  for  joy."     (Psalm  132:  13-16.) 

"Now,  my  God,  let,  I  beseech  thee,  thine  eyes 
be  open,  and  let  thine  ears  be  attent  unto  the 
prayer  that  is  made  in  this  place. 

"Now  therefo^p  arise,  O  lyord  God,  into  thy  rest- 
ing place,  thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength:  let 
thy  priests,  O  Lord  God,  be  clothed  with  salvation, 
and  let  thy  saints  rejoice  in  goodness."  (II.  Chron. 
6:  40,   41.) 

"Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  from  everlast- 
ing to  everlasting,  and  let  all  the  people  say, 
Amen.     Praise  ye  the  Lord."     (Psalm  106:  48.) 

9.  Charge  to  the  trustees. 

10.  Delivery  of  the  keys  in  the  name  of  the 
Trinity  to  hold  in  trust  for  God  and  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 

11.  Doxology. 

12.  Benedidlion, 


UlhCXl'Li.M:..  157 


KORNIS. 


TRANSFERS. 

Form  of  Transfer  of  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that is  a  regular 

of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in   Christ, 

of  Conference,  and   is   hereby  transferred 

to Conference  of  said  church. 

[Date,  etc.] 

Form  of  Certificate  of  Transfer  of  Member. 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  is  an  acceptable  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  at Class, 

Charge,   Conference,  and  is  hereby 

transfefred  to Society,  of Charge, 

Conference. 


.Pastor. 


[Date,  etc.] 

Form  of  Certificate  of  Meyyihership. 

This  is  to  certify  that  Ac  B.  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 

Christ  at     ,  and  is  hereby  recommended  to 

the  confidence  and  fellowship  of  Christians  every- 
where. 

.....Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 


158  DISCIPLINE. 

Form  of  Cerlificate  of  Dismissal. 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  has  been  until  this 
date  a  member  in  good  standing  in  the  Church  of 

the  United   Brethren  in   Christ,   at  ,  and  at 

request  is  dismissed  from  the  Church  by  a 

vote  of  the  class. 

Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 


BEQUESTS. 

HOME,  FRONTIER,    AND    FOREIGN    MISSIONARY   SO- 
CIETY. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Home,  Frontier,  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ,  organized  by  the  General  Conference  of 
said  church,  May  20,  1853,  and  incorporated  in 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  September  23,  1854,  the  sum 

of dollars;  and  the  receipt  of  the  treasurer 

of  the  society  shall  be  a  sufficient  discharge  thereof 
to  my  executors  and  administrators. 


WOMAN'S   MISSIONARY   ASSOCIATION. 

I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  Woman's 
Missionary  Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  for Dollars. 


DISCIl'LINK 


^bJ 


REPORTS. 

FORM    OK   preacher's   REPORT. 

Quarterly  Report, Annual   Conference, 

United  Brethren  in  Christ. 


Classes 

or 

Fields  of  Labor. 

District. 

Circuit. 

Mission. 

Quarter. 

i88... 

t 

CI* 

2- 

o 

63* 

o' 

a-' 
n 

o' 
3 

1_ 

9? 

1 

Members  received. 

Members  at  present 

Baptisms   

Discourses  preached 

Pastoral  vi'^'ts 

Class-meetings  held 

Presiding^  elder's  salary. 
Telescopes 

Missionary  Visitors 

For  the  I^ittle  Ones 

Ouarterlies   

Scholars  in  S.  S 

Collected  for  missions... 
Colledled  for  local  S.  S.. 
Col.  for  church  expenses 

Collected  for 

Colledled  for 

Colle<5led  for 

Collecled  for 

.Name. 


[The  blanks  can  be  filled  out  to  suit  eillier  pastor  or 
presidiii!^  elder,  as  I'.ie  jjresidiv.g  elder  would  simply ^ive 
the  total  column  of  each  work,  j 


l6o  DISCIPLINE. 

SABBATH-SCHOOL   SUPERINTENDENT'S   REPORT. 

Sabbath- school^  Quarter. 

(Date). 

1.  Number  of  officers  and  teachers 

2.  Number  of  scholars  enrolled 

3.  Average  attendance 

4.  Children's  Friends 

5.  Missionary  Visitors 

6.  Lessons  for  the  lyittle  Ones 

7.  Quarterlies 

8.  Bible  Teachers 

9.  Amount  of  colle(5lions 

10.  Expenses  of  the  quarter 

11.  Missions 

Remarks. 

Superintendent. 


CLASS    LEADER  S    REPORT. 

Class,  Quarter. 

{Date.) 

1.  Number  of  members 

2.  Number  of  meetings  held  

3.  Average  attendance 


CONTRIBUTION    CARD. 

Church,  ...{Date.) 

I  hereby  agree  to  pay  to  the  order  of  the  treas- 
urer of  Church  the  sum  of  , 

weekly,  during  the  year  commencing , 

for  pastor's  salary  and  other  church  expenses. 

(Signature) 


INDEX. 


Absentees  from  annual  conference,  43. 

Absent  voters  for  General  Conference,  46. 

Academies,  126. 

Agent  of  Printing  Establishment,  120,  121. 

Aid  from  General  Sunday-school  Board,  how  obtained,  &7, 

Aid  from  Church-Erection  Society,  117. 

Aid  from  Board  of  Education  to  students  in  schools,  124. 

Allegheny  Conference,  Boundary  of,  133. 

Amenability  of  certified  members,  33. 

Annual  conference— Absentees  from,  43;  appeals  from,  77; 
appeals  to,  41;  authority  of,  44;  boundaries,  18,  133; 
division  into  fields  of  labor,  72;  examination  of 
preachers,  43;  examination  of,  19;  lay  representation 
in,  42;  members  of,  42;  missionary  collections  at,  62; 
order  of  business  at,  44;  presiding  officers,  48,  60; 
questions  asked  at,  44  ;  sermon  at,  63;  Sunday-school 
secretary  and  treasurer,  98;  superintendency  of,  63. 

Appeals,  Court  of,  77;  right  of,  20,  31;  from  class,  31,  76; 
from  quarterly  conference,  41,  76;  from  annual  con- 
ference, 77;  appeals  from  stationing  committee,  71. 

Applicants  for  membership,  21 ;  committee  to  examine,  23. 

Arkansas  Valley  Conference,  Boundary  of,  133, 

Auglaize  Conference,  Boundary  of,  134. 

Authorship  of  doctrinal  publications,  93. 

Baptisms,  16,  22. 

Beneficiary  aid,  123;  collections  for,  124;  recommenda- 
tions for,  124. 

Bequests,   Missionary    Society,    94,   107;   to    the  General 
Board  of  the  Church,  94;  forms  of,  158. 
11  161 


l62  IXDEX. 

Bishops — Annual  meeting  of,  62;  announcement  of  repre- 
sentation in  General  Conference  by,  45;  attendance  at 
conference,  61;  delinquency  of,  63;  duties  of,  18,  61; 
election  of,  18,  60;  eligibility  to  office  of,  18;  emeritus, 
60;  pro  tern,  43;  residence  of,  60;  salaries  of,  61;  sta- 
tioning of,  60;  vacancy  in  office  of,  63. 

Board  of  Education,  121.  (See  Education,  Board  of".) 

Boundaries,  132;  bishops'  districts,  132;  annual  confer- 
ences, 133. 

Book  Committee,  93. 

Branch  missionary  societies,  105;  contributions  to,  106; 
secretary  of,  106 ;  treasurer  of,  106. 

Branch  Society,  W.  M.  A.,  Constitution  of,  111. 

Building  of  church-houses  and  parsonages,  86. 

Burial  of  dead,  152. 

California  Conference,  Boundary  of,  134. 

Central  Illinois  Conference,  Boundary  of,  134. 

Central  Ohio  Conference,  Boundary  of,  135. 

Certificate  of  dismissal,  158;  of  membership,  157. 

Charters,  93. 

Church-Erection  Society,  114. 

Church-houses,  85;  trustees  of,  85;  building  of,  86; 
vacant,  87;  dedication  of,  153. 

Church  records,  73. 

Circulation  of  Church  literature,  duty  regarding,  73. 

Classes,  34;  appointments  to,  34;  division  of,  34;  dis- 
banding of,  34. 

Classification  of  ministry,  55;  how  determined,  56. 

Class  leaders.  Dismissal  of,  35;  duties  of,  26,  35,  37;  in 
elections  to  General  Conference,  46;  in  trials,  30; 
election  of,  34;  qualifications,  35;  records  of,  32. 

•lass  stewards,  appointment  of,  35;  dismissal  of,  36; 
duties,  36;  in  elections  to  General  Conference,  46. 

Collections,  General,  74;  missionary,  62,  74. 

Colleges,  126. 

Colorado  Conference,  Boundary  of,  135. 


INDEX.  163 

Committee  for  trial  of  members,  30;  of  annua!  conference 
preachers,  65 ;  of  quarterly  conference  preachers,  64. 

Conference,  Annual;  See  Annual  Oonference. 

Conference,  General ;  See  General  Conference. 

Conference,  Quarterly;  See  Quarterly  Conference. 

Conferences,  Mission,  107. 

Confer- on  of  Faith,  13. 

Constitution,  17. 

Course  of  reading  required.  For  quarterly-conference 
preachers,  50,  80;  for  annual-conference  preachers, 
81;  for  German  preachers,  83;  examinations,  81; 
completing  the  course,  84. 

Courses  of  study  in  colleges,  127. 

Court  of  Appeals,  77. 

Dead,  Formula  for  burial  of,  152. 

Dedication  of  churches,  153, 

Delegates  to  General  Conference,  How  elected,  45;  ex- 
penses of,  48. 

Des  Moines  Conference,  Boundary  of,  136. 

Directors  of  Missionary  Society,  Board  of,  103;  life,  103. 

Disbanding  of  classes,  34. 

Dismissal  of  members,  33;  of  superintendent,  100;  of  class 
leaders,  35;  of  class  stewards,  36. 

Division  of  interest  in  parsorvages,  89. 

Divorce  and  divorced  persona,  Rule  regarding,  92. 

East  German  Conference,  Boundary  of,  136. 

East  Nebraska  Conference,  Boundary  of,  136. 

East  Ohio  Conference,  Boundary  of,  13G. 

East  Pennsylvania  Conference,  Boundary  of,  137. 

Education,  Board  of,  121;  collections  for,  124;  Executive 
Committee  of,  125;  honorary  members  of,  125 <  officers 
of,  122;  objects  of,  123;  recommendations  of,  123; 
reports  of,  123,  125. 

Educational  institutions,  121. 

Educational  sermon  required,  124. 


l64  INDEX. 

Elders,  56;  duties  of,  58;  election  to  order,  57;  examina- 
tion of  candidates  for  order,  57;  ordination  of,  62,  149; 
probation  of,  56,  58;  questions  regarding  candidates, 
56. 

Electioneering  forbidden,  43. 

Elections  to  General  Conference,  45;  returns  of,  46;  pub- 
lication of  results,  47. 

Election  of  officers  of  General  Conference,  48. 

Elkhorn  and  Dakota  Conference,  Boundary  of,  138. 

English  churches.  Transfer  of,  lo  German,  88. 

Erie  Conference,  Boundary  of,  138. 

Estimating  Commitlep,  41. 

Evangelists,  56;  evangelistic  work,  75. 

Examinations,  excusing  from,  40;  of  annual  conferences, 
19,  48;  of  preachers  regarding  life,  43. 

Exchange  of  preachers  by  presiding  elder,  59. 

Exhorters,  Trial  of,  39;  how  licensed,  48;  duties  of,  49; 
renewal  of  license  of,  49. 

Expelled  preachers  not  to  be  received,  53. 

Expenses  of  delegates  to  General  Conference,  48. 

Expulsion  of  annual  conference  preachers,  65;  of  quar- 
terly conference  preachers,  64. 

Family  piety,  24. 

Fast- days,  62. 

Fields  of  labor.  Division  into,  72. 

Formulas:  Burial  of  dead,  152;  church  dedication,  153; 
marriage  ceremony,  151 ;  ordination  of  elders,  149. 

Forms,  157;  of  certificate  of  dismissal,  158;  of  certificate 
of  membership,  157;  class  leader's  report,  160;  of 
contribution  card,  160;  of  transfer  of  members,  157; 
of  transfer  of  preachers,  157 ;  of  bequests  to  Mission- 
ary Society,  158;  of  preacher's  report,  159;  of  Sabbath- 
school  superintendent's  report,  160. 

General  church  steward,  40. 

General  Conference:  Appeals  to,  77;  bishops'  announce- 
ment   of    representation,    45;    composition    of,    17; 


INDEX.  165 

duties,  18;  election  of  delegates  to,  17,  45;  election 
of  officers,  48;  number  of  members,  45;  presiding 
officers  of,  18;  quorum,  18. 

German  churches,  Transfer  to  Englij^h,  88. 

General  interests,  support  of,  26. 

Gospel,  Support  of,  26. 

Government,  Obedience  to  civil,  25. 

Government  of  the  Church,  34. 

Historical  Society,  131. 

History  of  the  Church,  Outline  of,  7. 

Home  missions,  106. 

Illinois  Conference,  Boundary  of,  139. 

Incorporation  of  church   houses  and    parsonages,  94;  of 

general  Church  property,  93;  of  Church  boards,  94. 
Indiana  Conference,  Boundary  of,  139. 
Insurance  of  church  property,  118. 
Iowa  Conference,  Boundary  of,  139. 
Itineracy,  20,  70. 
Itinerants— See  Preachers,  Itinerant. 

Kansas  Conference,  Boundary  of,  140. 

Lay  representation  in  annual  conferences,  42. 

Lay  representation  in  the  General  Conference,  45. 

Leaders,  Class.    See  Class  Leaders. 

License  of  preachers  by  quarterly  conference,  39,  49 ;  per- 
manent license,  81;  of  exhorters,  48;  of  women,  52; 
renewal  of  exhorter's,  49;  renewal  of  quarterly  con- 
ference preachers',  50. 

Limit  of  transfer  of  preachers,  54;  of  pastorate,  71. 

Literature,  Circulation  of  Church,  73;  in  Sunday-schools, 
102. 

Loans  of  Church-Erection  Society,  117. 

Local  preachers.    See  Preachers,  Local. 

Lord's  Supper,  Preparation  for,  36. 

Lower  Wabash  Conference,  Boundary  of,  140. 


l66  INDEX. 

Marriage,  92;  of  divorced  persons,  92;  formula  of,  151; 
who  may  solemnize,  68. 

Maryland  Conference,  Boundary  of,  140. 

Members  of  Church,  21 ;  amenability  of  those  having  cer- 
tificates, 33;  duties  of,  24;  dismissal  of,  33,  158; 
from  other  churches,  23;  limit  of  certificate,  33; 
preacher's  responsibility  in  reception  of,  24;  questions 
to  applicants,  22;  seekers,  23;  transfer  of,  33,  157; 
trial  of,  29. 

Miami  Conference,  Boundary  of,  140. 

Michigan  Conference,  Boundary  of,  141. 

Minnesota  Conference,  Boundary  of,  141. 

Ministry  of  Church,  48;  classification  of,  55;  preparation 
for,  84. 

Missionaries,  Duties  of,  105. 

Missionary  Association,  Woman's.  See  Woman's  Mis- 
sionary Association. 

Missionary  Society,  Constitution  of,  103;  life  directors  and 
members  of,  103;  officers,  103;  duties  of  officers,  104; 
Board  of  Directors,  104;  branch  societies,  105;  branch 
treasurer  and  secretary,  106;  contributions  to,  106; 
branch  societies'  control  of  iiome  missions,  106;  be- 
quests to,  107;  Sabbath-schools  as  auxiliaries,  100. 

^Missions  and  Sunday-schools,  100. 

Mission  conferences,  Organization  of,  62,  107. 

Mission  districts,  105. 

Missouri  Conference,  Boundary  of,  1,41. 

Moral  reform,  89. 

Moving  the  preacher,  76. 

Neosho  Conference,  Boundary  of,  141. 

New  schools.  Formation  of,  126. 

North  Michigan  Conference,  Boundary  of,  142, 

North  Ohio  Conference,  Boundary  of,  142. 

Northwest  Kansas  Conference,  Boundary  of,  142. 

Oaths,  91. 


INDEX.  167 

Official  meetings,  IHities  of,  37;  members  ol",  36. 
Ohio  German  Conference,  Boundary  of,  143. 
Ontario  Conference,  Boundary  of,  143. 
Ordination  of  elders,  62;  formula  for,  149. 
Ore«on  Conference,  Boundary  of,  143. 
Origin  of  the  Church,  7. 
Orders,  Election  to  elder's,  57. 

Pabkersbikg  Conference,  Boundary  of,  143. 

Parsonages,  76;  buildmg  of,  86;  vacant,  88;  division  ol 
interests  in,  89. 

Pastor,  Receiving  the,  26. 

Pastoral  visiting,  75. 

Pennsylvania  Conference,  Boundary  of,  144. 

Poor,  Care  of,  26. 

Preachers,  General  duties  of,  68;  restrictions  upon,  69. 

Preachers,  Annual  Conference:  Classification  of,  55;  elders, 
56;  how  received,  51;  transfer  of,  53;  limit  of  trans- 
fer, 64;  accountable  to  quarterly  conference,  67;  qual- 
ifications of,  53;  questions  to,  51;  trial  of,  65. 

Preachers,  Itinerant:  Collections  of,  74;  defined,  55; 
duties  of,  70;  stewards'  duties,  regarding,  36;  to  poor, 
26;  in  transfer  of  members,  33;  to  Sunday-schools,  98; 
examination  by  annual  conference,  43;  employment  of 
other  than  itinerant,  72;  how  constituted,  70;  limit 
of  pastorate,  71;  membership  of,  34;  moving  of,  76; 
power  to  change,  59;  records  of,  73;  reports  of,  73, 
159;  resignation  of,  70;  salaries  of,  75;  superannuated, 
55;  supernumerary.  55;  support  of,  36;  stationing  of, 
61,  71;  pastoral  visiting,  75;  withdrawal  of,  70. 

Preachers,  Local:  defined,  55;  voting  of,  20. 

Preachers,  Quarterly-Conference;  Course  of  reading  for, 
50,  80;  examination  of,  81  ;  excuse  of,  from  examina- 
tion, 40;  license  of,  39;  permanent  license,  40,  81;  rec- 
ommendation to  annual  conference,  51;  renewal  of 
license,  50;  required  to  join  class,  40;  trial  of,  39,  64. 

Presiding  elders,  Duties    of,  59;   duties  in  elections,  47; 


1 68  INDEX. 

duties  regarding  church  property,  94;  election  of,  58; 

reports  of,  59,  159;  stationing  of,  59,  62;  support  of,  58; 

vacancies  filled,  60,  63. 
Printing  Establishment,  119;  officers  of,  120. 
Profits  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  119. 
Property,  Title  to,  19,  20. 
Pi  o  rata  representation  in  General  Conference,  17,  45. 

Quarterly  ^conference,  37 ;  appeal  to  annual  conference, 
41;  appeals  tried,  39,  64;  duties  of,  38;  estimating 
committee  appointed  by,  41;  examination  of  appli- 
cants for  licence,  50;  general  steward  appointed  by, 
40;  licensing  of  preachers,  39,  49;  licensing  of  ex- 
horters,  48 ;  members  of,  37 ;  quorum  of,  38 ;  recom- 
mending preachers  to  annual  conference,  40.  •» 

Real  estate  for  church  purposes,  89. 
Reception  of  annual  conference  preachers,  51. 
Reception  of  preachers  from  other  churches,  54. 
Records,  Church,  73;  correction  of,  72;  of  trials,  32. 
Reports  of  bishops,  63;  of  presiding  elders,  59,  159;    of 

itinerants,  73,  159. 
Reports  of  proceedings  of  General  Conference,  121. 
Representation  in  General  Conference,  45. 
Resignation  of  itinerants,  70. 
Returns  of  elections  to  General  Conference,  46. 
Rock  River  Conference,  Boundary  of,  144. 

Sabbath- SCHOOL  Board,  General,  95;  annual  conference 
relations,  98;  appropriations  of,  97;  composition  of, 
95;  duties,  96;  object,  96;  secretary  of,  96. 

Sabbath-schools,  Duty  of  members  to,  25,  95;  constitution 
for,  100;  collections  for  missions,  100;  duties  of  super- 
intendent, 99 ;  officers  of,  99 ;  organization  of,  99 ;  pas- 
tor's relation  to,  98;   sacraments,  15. 

Salaries  of  bishops,  61;  of  itinerants,  75;  of  missionaries, 
75;  of  presiding  elders,  58. 

Sandusky  Conference,  Boundary  of,  144. 


INDEX.  169 

Scioto  Conference,  Boundary  of,  145. 

Seceding  members,  79. 

Secret  combinations,  Constitutional    provision  upon,  20; 

\        law  on,  91. 

Secretaries  of  annual  conferences,  42. 

Secretary  of  Missionary  Society,  103;  of  General  Sunday- 
school  Board,  96 ;  of  Board  of  Education,  122. 

Security  of  missionary  treasurer,  107. 

Seekers.  23. 

Sermon  on  education,  124. 

Singing,  24. 

Slavery,  90. 

St.  Joseph  Conference,  Boundary  of,  146. 

Southern  Missouri  Conference,  Boundary  of,  145. 

Stationing  Committee,  for  itinerants,  61,  71;  for  presiding 
elders,  59,  62:  for  bishops,  60;  appeal  from,  71;  time 
of  report,  71. 

Superannuated  ministers,  55;  support  of,  76. 

Superintendent  of  Sunday-schools,  101. 

Supernumerary  ministers,  55. 

Suspension  of  preachers,  64,  65. 

Teachers  of  Sunday-school,  102. 

Temperance,  89. 

Tennessee  Conference,  Boundary  of,  147. 

Thanksgiving  days,  62. 

Tobacco,  52,  90. 

Transfer  of  members,  33,  157;  of  preachers,  157;  limit  of 
transfer,  53,  67. 

Treasurer  of  local  church,  37,  38. 

Treasurer  of  Missionary  Society,  104;  security  of,  107. 

Trial  of  members,  29-32;  for  immoral  conduct,  29;  for 
disobedience,  30;  in  disputes,  31;  order  in,  32;  presi- 
dent at,  72;  records  of,  32;  trial  of  preachers,  64;  of 
quarterly  conference,  64;  of  annual  conference,  65;  of 
exhorters,  39. 


lyo  INDEX. 

Trustees  of  churches,  85;  of  Printing  Establishment,  119; 
of  Woman's  Missionary  Association,  109 ;  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  94. 

Union,  Necessity  of,  28. 

Union  Biblical  Seminary,  127;  directors  of,  127;  General 
Manager  of,  128;  obligation  of  faculty  of,  130;  sup- 
port of,  129. 

Upper  Wabash  Conference,  Boundary  of,  147. 

Vacant  church-houses  and  parsonages,  87,  88. 
Vacancy  in  bishopric,  63;  in  fields  of  labor.   72;    in  pre- 
siding elders'  districts,  60. 
Virginia  Conference,  Boundary  of,  147. 
Visiting  of  pastors,  75. 

Walla  Walla  Conference,  Boundary  of,  148. 

War,  91. 

West  Nebraska  Conlerence,  Boundary  of,  148. 

White  River  Conference,  Boundary  of,  148. 

Wisconsin  Conference,  Boundary  of,  149. 

Woman's  Missionary  Association,  Incorporation,  108; 
membership,  109;  management  of,  110;  relation  ta 
Church,  110;  branch  societies.  111;  local  societies,  113. 

Women,  Granting  license  to,  52. 

Youth,  Care  of,  94. 


BX9878.52.A11889 

Origin,  doctrine,  constitution,  and 


Princeton  Theological  Semmary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00021   2763 


